"Mr. K" Katayama passed away

Yutaka Katayama

It is with regret that news about Yutaka "Mr. K" Katayama, known worldwide as the father of the Z-car, has passed away at the age of 105 due to his heart failure. It was confirmed by his son, Mitsuo.

"Mr. K" was born in 1909 in Shizuoka Prefecture and was hired by Nissan in 1935 as in charge of the PR management and later advertising. He was known to be the founding father of the Tokyo Auto Show when the first one, then-called the All-Japan Motor Show, started in 1954.

He was the one behind Nissan's US operations, established the Datsun brand in American soil, and the mastermind behind the iconic Datsun 240Z sports car (also known as the Fairlady Z S30). He was part of the Automotive Hall of Fame in both the US and Japan. Fairlady fans revered to "Mr. K" as a God and respected by many car enthusiasts.

Nissan once made a three-part documentary to celebrate Katayama-san's 105th birthday last year.

Despite his passing, his legacy lives on to the generation of Z cars past, present, and future.

Report: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/interviews/news/a25078/yutaka-katayama-father-of-the-datsun-z-dead-at-105/

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: The Bleating Conundrum

Goat or Sheep?

2015 is the year of the sheep while some call it the year of the goat. Errr....what? Year of the goat or year of the sheep? I'm getting confused already because while some call it goat, some call it sheep, others got hurt themselves in confusion.

Sure, goats and sheeps are very different mammals but what made them similar is their bleating sounds. You know...baaahhhh! Baaaahhhhh! Baaaaahhhh!!! Okay enough the bah-bah sounds. Anyway, what made them similar is the way they behave. Some say, goats tend to be curious and independent while sheep tend to be more alone. Goats are browsers and they eat leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs while sheeps are grazers and they like to eat short, tender grasses and clover.

Uh-oh... This is turning into a science lesson. Anyway, let's forget about this one above because what I'm talking about the confusion between "year of the goat" and "year of the sheep" on the Chinese zodiac. Heck, I wasn't the only ones who got confused over the sheep-goat debate because even the Chinese people are having a hard time distinguish the eighth animal in their zodiac. You see, when they named it "yang" in their Chinese zodiac, that Mandarin word refers to some hoofed animal that eats grass and bleats but doesn't mention if its a goat or a sheep. 

Heck, they even added Ram to the mix and no, not the Ram trucks that Chrysler made, nor is the battering ram used by riot policemen, it's the animal kind, but who cares? Ram, goat, sheep, they're all on a totally different leagues and there's no way they can share the eighth spot of the zodiac.

If the Chinese zodiac is interpreted by Pokemon, it could be either the year of Mareep or Gogoat because some would call it year of the sheep, others call it year of the goat. Well, since goats have more population than sheep, scenics would go for the goat while other scenics would go for the sheep. Or to put it in other terms, since Mareep's electric (yes, really), it's not very effective against Gogoat (because it's Grass type), it should be Gogoat's time to shine, not Mareep, but since the popularity is on Mareep's, it feels like Mareep's won the battle. Man, I'm starting to hurt myself in confusion but I still believe it's the goat's, not the sheeps, who claim the eighth spot of the zodiac. Man, I swear...

According to one theory, the year 2015 will be an important year for those who are born from the year of the goat, including me because I was born in 1991, which is one of the years marked as "year of the goat" according to the zodiac. Goats, according to the zodiac, are gentle, have very delicate thoughts, and prefer to be in groups. If that was the case, then, why I possess none of these traits? I am not gentle, I don't have delicate thoughts, and I prefer to be alone. Maybe those traits I had kinda felt like I'm not one of the goats but I still wanna try if I have the time to do it.

Whether if it's the year of the goat or the year of the sheep, the debate is still going on but no matter which side you're on, let's make this year count for us because for us who are born on the year of the goat (or sheep), it's our time to shine and let our presence be known to the world.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!

Let's Do The News! (February 21, 2015)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Returning to the Ukraine Crisis: A protest is underway in Moscow to oppose the coup in Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Ever since the Yanukovych ousted from power, Russia has since annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and is accused of backing pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

- Meanwhile in Dubai, a fire broke out at the Torch skyscraper, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. No one knows what caused it but luckily, no reports of casualties as hundreds of people flee from the building.

- The US government will fine Japanese car parts maker Takata for not fully cooperating in the investigation of the company's defective airbags and they will charge the company 14,000 dollars per day.

- The meeting for the Trans-Pacific Partnership is scheduled for March 9th to 15th in Hawaii, following the meeting of chief negotiators in New York in late January and early February.

- The final teaser for the upcoming Aston Martin Vulcan track car has been streamed, showcasing the rear view and some spitting flames. Aston Martin's track-only racing machine is set to be unveiled at next month's Geneva Auto Show.



- Michelle Gomez will return to reign terror as Missy in the upcoming ninth season of Doctor Who, coming this fall 2015.

- IT'S OFFICIAL! The long-delayed megafight between the two boxing superstars, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, is set for the 2nd of May, 2015. They've been demanded to see this fight happen and it's really happening.

- Cartoon Network plans something big for 2015 and 2016. Apart for the Powerpuff Girls remake, there's going to be a web series titled Mighty Magiswords, a miniseries titled Long Live The Royals, a Steven Universe-Uncle Grandpa crossover, a special, and...wait for it...a Regular Show movie!

- Bonjour, petrolheads! There's going to be a French version of Top Gear airing on RMC Decouverte this March 18. The French Top Gear will be hosted by Bruce Jouanny, Philippe Lellouche, and Le Tone as they will do usual Top Gear stuff like its international versions (except the US probably) do most of the time. Of course, Le Stig is present as well.

TTFN!!!

Honda New Legend (KC2)

2015 Honda Legend

The Legend has served as the flagship saloon of Honda and its been around for four generations since the first one was launched in 1985. 2015 is the Honda Legend's 30th birthday and to celebrate the occasion, well, after three years since the previous Legend was discontinued, it's back and this time, it's a hybrid premium saloon that features a next-gen hybrid powertrain that the next NSX supercar will have. Ah yes. The Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system.

There's more to it than just the revolutionary Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system because here on the brand new Legend, it features the first-ever Honda Sensing safety system, the advanced heads-up display system, the new Krell 14-speaker Audio System, and much more. Let's talk about the key points later but first, the design.

2015 Honda Legend

2015 Honda Legend interior

As observed, this is the Japanese version of the Acura RLX sold in North America so by the looks of it, the hideous-looking exterior is highly similar to its North American cousin, especially the Jewel Eye headlamps that make people won't go to eat dinner tonight after their prolonged exposure with these headlamps. Those headlamps are not made for those who had Trypophobia. I know...

On the inside, there goes that annoying dual-screen dashboard where the second screen is made for touching and the first screen is made for viewing. There's no gear lever present here and it's been replaced with some buttons where when the driver pressed the D button, it really sets to Drive. That sounds high-tech but I have bigger doubts about this so-called clever shifting mechanism that makes gear levers a thing of the past.

The seats are rather comfortable, especially at the rear seats where your boss will most likely feel comfy and the rear legroom is not so bad for a flagship saloon of this caliber.

The Krell 14-speaker Audio System is one of the key points of the Legend's interior and utilizing their know-how from their home theater systems, the expansive audio experience can now be heard on the new Legend. Play in your favorite audio CD or Bluetooth connectivity with your iPhone or USB, whatever you're doing, and listen to the Krell magic do the music for you and when you listen to it, it sounds so crystal clear-ish. Not bad...unless it was spoiled by the radio's static noise.

Another key point of the new Legend's interior is the head-up display system and it displays most of the information from your car based on your driving. It can display turn-by-turn navigation, adaptive cruise control, a tachometer, speed dial, power distribution, and more. That sounds nice but sadly, the HUD is too faint to be seen on your windshield unless its getting dark outside.

2015 Honda Legend

The newly-developed Sport Hybrid SH-AWD plays a critical role in the new Legend. While essentially derived from the upcoming NSX sportscar, this powertrain not only excels at delivering 382PS of total system power output and a 16.8km/L fuel economy but its handling is unlike any other.

The 3.5L i-VTEC V6 direct-injected engine is mated with three electric motors; one at the front and two at the back. The front electric motor delivers a modest torque during hard acceleration and better fuel economy at low speeds. It also houses Honda's brand new 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The rear electric motors, on the other hand, produce a well-balanced torque through a curve so handling is not so bad after all. That's called torque vectoring and by working together, the electric motors deliver power for standing starts, low-speed cruising, and vigorous rolling acceleration.

The new Legend is the first to come with the breakthrough Honda Sensing, a new array of driver-assistive technologies that allows the driver to sense things they might miss while driving. It features Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, and the exclusive Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System. Those new arrays of safety systems keeps the Legend in charge of the road while delivering peace of mind for the occupants inside. Now that's some cleverness but drivers need to be extra careful while taking advantage of these clever features.

The new Legend starts at 6,800,000 Japanese Yen (around $70,000) which sounds more expensive than the Nissan Fuga Hybrid. When compared between these two, you will notice that the Fuga Hybrid is more fuel efficient and cheaper to own than the Legend even though they both have 7-speed DCT and 3.5L V6 engines the Legend is more unique than the Fuga because it has the most power and it has four-wheel drive so choosing between these two is a risky gamble and the odds of choosing one is slim because there are so many things to consider about these two but for me, the new Legend is the all-rounder of the two. Although the looks are bothersome, the hybrid powertrain is what got my thoughts and hearts into thinking that this NSX-derived powertrain will give us hope.

Available colors: White Orchid Pearl, Super Platinum Metallic, Graphite Luster Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Pomegranate Pearl, and Gilded Pewter Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

"Adult Tibay + Lakas"

On the February 20, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...posting pics of people holding guns!

- Stepparent gags

- He's tired of being a guardian angel for some reasons...

- The goat and the sheep are interviewed.

- Bubble Gang does Bear Brand Adult Plus by spoofing this commercial as BEAR BLOND ADULT PLUS! Adult Tibay + Lakas.

- Sorry pal. Your ideas are pointless during a meeting...

- The pointless stuff of dealing with an online seller.

Forza Horizon 2: Me and my RC

Far away, you might notice there's a hot German sports coupe in sight and then you rushed to it enthusiastically and all of the sudden, it was just a mirage. More than a mirage...it's Lexus's brand new RC F! Boom! It's like when you though there's a faraway Dr. Pepper vending machine and all of the sudden, it was just an RC Cola machine. Boy, oh boy. That joke never get too old, eh? Anyway, no time for "insert Family Guy joke" here because the Forza Horizon 2 Top Gear Car Pack introduced us to Lexus' latest high-caliber sports coupe that will surely pick a fight with the BMW M4.



So, the new Lexus RC F. What's it all about? Well, this is a high-caliber version of the Lexus RC coupe, which both of these models were launched in Japan last fall with some unwelcomed reception at first.

It comes with the same 5.0L V8 engine derived from the decommissioned IS F but now it's been updated so it produces 477PS of power and 530Nm while mated with an 8-speed SPDS gearbox. Stats aside, that's a lot more powerful than the M4 but sadly, its almost 200 kilos heavier.

Lexus says that this car draws its performance inspiration from their current Super GT racecars to deliver track-focused sharpness on all corners of the world but since we're in Europe and this is Forza Horizon 2, the RC F is somewhat twitchy when going to the max. I can get myself tangled easily while its chief rival, the BMW M4, can do better than that. I once tried the BMW M4 in this game a few months ago and I said that it's well-balanced, it's poised, it's precise, and overall, a lot more fun to drive as the other BMWs offered in-game. Sadly for the RC F, it can do better than that.



I was given an opportunity to try out the RCF via a Monthly Rivals event just to see how this high-caliber Lexus can do for me and for this event, this is much more of a challenge to be honest.





That was one of the most challenging attempts ever made for a car like this but even though it lacks the precision of the BMW M4, I think the new Lexus RC F have finally got what it takes to impress the Horizon crowd. Things took a nasty turn for the new Lexus but we handled it pretty well. I expect great things for this car to come because it wants to continue where the departed ISF left off.

Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS (YA/YB22S)

2015 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS

After two years of waiting since its European debut, the all-new Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS finally arrives in Japan for the first time and this second-generation model competes with the likes of the Nissan Juke and the Honda Vezel.

It may be a Japanese car, but this new model is now imported from Hungary because Suzuki built this new car at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary and Hungary plays a key role for Suzuki's European production center. Now that this car's made in Europe, I was expecting to be more European-ish on how it performs, and to be honest, no one knows what to expect until they first try it.

2015 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS interior

2015 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS interior

Although the exterior has been heavily improved from the old model, it still looks like your average hatchback with the added clearance like most compact crossovers do. It may be sharp but just like a pencil, the sharpness becomes too round when used consecutively or until it snaps. As for the interior, it feels like it came from the Suzuki Swift but you do get seats for five people and decent boot space depending on the seating arrangements. There's also a hidden space where you can store your luggage at the back called the "luggage board" as well.

2015 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS

The only engine available for the new S-CROSS is the 1.6L M16A petrol engine from the Swift. It delivers a reasonable 117PS of power output and 151Nm of torque. Because of its lower friction and related parts, fuel economy ranges from 17.2kmpl up to 18.2kmpl, depending on the model, by JC08 Mode standards.

The new SX4 S-CROSS features Suzuki's brand-new ALLGRIP system for the 4WD model. This new generation 4WD system features four driving modes selected by a knob that can adapt through any road surfaces whether it is tarmac, gravel, snow, or just when you want a sharper handling car at ease. That's very clever and quite interesting. No wonder Europeans got hold of this new feature on their new SX4, giving it much praise by this tech.

On the suspension layout, it features MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, providing superior rigidity and ride comfort for this compact crossover.

Prices start at 2,041,200 Japanese Yen, which sounds a lot more expensive than the Nissan Juke but more affordable to buy than the Honda Vezel. Quite a bargain for a compact hatchback that was imported from Europe, eh? But should you want one? The jury's out for you to find out but rest assured that you should go for the 4WD due to its ALLGRIP system's capability that adapt to any smart, exciting, challenging, or tough situations ahead because you'll never know what you'll be facing.

Available colors: Crystal Lime Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, Cool White Pearl, and Boost Blue Pearl Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation