The Mad Max Concepts that never were

Mad Max Fury Road has finally hit theaters and the iconic Ford Falcon "Interceptor" has once again revving its "last of the V8s" to the hearts and minds of moviegoers and car enthusiasts alike but aside from the added rave, some rants are going on about the film and also this...how come those Mad Max Concepts we saw four years ago never saw the light of day?

2011 Ford Mad Max Concept

2011 Ford Mad Max Concept

It all started back at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne when Ford Australia and Top Gear Australia held a competition where thousands of car enthusiasts from all over the Pacific had to vote for the next Mad Max Interceptor and there were the two possible candidates. These two would-be candidates for the Mad Max Interceptor have been designed by Ford and Top Gear AU to help celebrate the revival of the Mad Max franchise.

The first was designed by Nima Nounan and the second was designed by Simon Brook. These two Interceptors are the product of their endless imagination, cutting-edge technology, and cunning weaponry. They are equipped with industrial-strength weaponry like tasers mounted in the front of the cars to fend off enemy bikers. It also comes with a titanium-lined body shell to interrupt police scanners and wheels with extendable spikes to shred off the tires from hostile vehicles.

The staff from Ford Australia's R&D spent numerous hours which gained a strong media following in other countries and Top Gear AU has followed the progress of the would-be future Interceptors from the concept stage to the Computer Aided Designed. They've even documented it in the magazine where readers are asked to vote on which concept they prefer.

Sadly, with Top Gear Australia gone and Ford's Australian division ceasing their production operations within a few years, these two Mad Max Interceptor concepts never seen the light of day but at least, these products of their imaginations are worthy of being a tribute to Mad Max's iconic car that fights to its last drop of petrol.

Mad Max Fury Road

The Mad Max franchise has captured the heartless minds of every petrolhead since the first one came in the late 1970's because of its unique storyline, ruthless cast of characters, terrifying vehicles that turned into instruments of death in the dystopian future, and of course, the adrenaline delivered from the first three movies. Amazingly, it was the Aussie-built Ford Falcon that wowed our hearts and minds and when everyone talked about the classic Ford Falcon, they can only think of the Mad Max movies.

After thirty years, at last, the story of Mad Max has been reborn to the new generation of car lovers and movie lovers alike, hoping that one day, their cars will be just like what they saw in this film, packed with terrifying stunts, terrifying cast of characters, unique storyline that traces its roots from the original, and a new Mad Max in the form of actor Tom Hardy.

Like in the original Mad Max movies, it's set in a dystopian future where humanity has declined and people are now behaving like animals, fighting to survive the wasteland. This movie also stars Mighty Joe Young's Charlize Theron as Furiosa and Warm Bodies' Nicholas Hoult as the maniacal Nux, among many others.

Keeping true to the past installments, the recipe for destructive carnage still remains but now with some added explosions that will keep moviegoers wanted for more. "What a lovely day" it is but despite its added thrills for the newborn action thriller flick, there is some questionable stuff going on around here.

Past Mad Max films feel more Australian because of its outback setting fit enough to portray a post-nuclear wasteland but now, it doesn't feel like it is set on the outback anymore but rather a more distant landscape which is suitable for the wasteland that is a lot different than the past films. Outback or not, the different landscape didn't really matter in the storyline which is worth terrifying than the past installments.

Here's the thing. If you watch this film for the first time, make sure that this is the first and last thing you watch because this film feels more traumatizing than disaster flicks but if you're brave and looking for some thrills, for you, this film is the epitome of hardcore and once you finished watching this film, you would really come back to see it again for some more.

In conclusion, this film is not suitable for killjoys or buzzkills but for people who had some fun times, this is the one to watch. You can count on it.

My rating: 4.7 out of 5.

The Honda Shuttle's predecessors

2016 Honda Shuttle

With the launch of the all-new Honda Shuttle, let's take a trip down memory lane to examine some of its predecessors. Little did you know that the Shuttle name in the history of Honda was first used on its station wagon variant from the third-generation Civic? Hmm? Anyway, time now for the history lesson before getting to know more about the new Shuttle from Honda.

Honda Civic Shuttle (AJ/AK/AR) (1983-1987) - In the 20th of October, 1983, Honda launched a five door estate version of the third-generation Civic. There's also a commercial version of the Shuttle called the Civic Pro which is suitable for business use in the Japanese domestic market. It was available with a 1.3L SOHC CVCC engine developing 80PS of power and a 1.5L SOHC CVCC engine developing 90 or 100PS of power. Available gearboxes, depending on the variant, are either a 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, a 3-speed auto, or a 4-speed auto.

Honda Civic Shuttle (1983-1987)

Honda Civic Shuttle (EF2/3/4/5) (1987-1996) - Based on the 4th-generation Civic, the Shuttle model comes with a 4-link double wishbone suspension as well as a hyper 16-valve engine with something called Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system. IIt was launched in Japan since 1987 and it comes with either a 1.5L SOHC or a 1.6L SOHC engine, mated with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. In 1996, it was replaced by the Orthia and then later in 2004, the Airwave.

Honda Civic Shuttle (1987-1996)

Honda Fit Shuttle (2011-2015) - Based on the second-generation Fit, the Shuttle name has returned as the bigger version of the Fit. Originally, it should have been launched in Japan since mid-March 2011 but due to the March 11 quake and tsunami, the launch has been pushed to June 2011. It's available only with a 1.5L i-VTEC engine, in either a normal one or in a hybrid powertrain.

Honda Fit Shuttle (2011-2015)

The new Honda Shuttle is now available in Japan and it begins at 1,690,000 for the normal petrol variant while the hybrid model starts at 1,990,000 Yen.

Honda Shuttle

The Shuttle name in the history of Honda has been around since the Civic Shuttle and the Fit Shuttle and for the newest model, the all-new Honda Shuttle, which is an MPV based on the latest Honda Fit hatchback, is all about practicality and efficiency. Just everything what an average Japanese family would need for their imminent summer holiday.

2016 Honda Shuttle

First and foremost, the design for the new Shuttle is an utterly questionable one. At the front view, it looks like it's not adequate for a family-friendly people carrier because by the looks of it, it looks like surgeons gave an ugly man a big, ridiculous, lips. That's so nuts for someone with a horseface and then we get at the back which looks like it came from one of its chief rivals, the Toyota Wish. The old Fit Shuttle is like performing a surgery on a young woman's body and then resulted to an oversized buttocks but the new Shuttle is now becoming more like...Diego's. Yep, that guy from BG but atlit...

2016 Honda Shuttle interior

2016 Honda Shuttle interior

Because the new Shuttle is derived from the long line of Fit relatives including the Vezel crossover, the Grace sedan, and the recently-launched Jade MPV, which has a better-looking design than the Shuttle, the interior looks more similar to its cousins. You get seats for five people, some luggage space for your essentials, and then, the added compartment in the form of a storage unit hidden underneath the loading bay. Now that's convenient if you're going on a fishing trip with your kids at a lake.

2016 Honda Shuttle

The Shuttle only comes with 1.5L i-VTEC engine producing 132PS of power, 155Nm of torque, and 21.8km/L of fuel economy while connected with a CVT gearbox but if you want more range, you can opt with the hybrid variant which comes with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, 22kW electric motor, and a li-ion battery, resulting to an incredible fuel economy of 34.0km/L, comfortably beating the Toyota Prius Alpha by a long shot. Running on electric motor alone, it produces more torque than its petrol engine.

You can have either a front-wheel drive if you're a casual civilian or if you're feeling under the weather, a 4WD model is at hand. Either way, you can expect the added quality and stability thanks to its amplitude reactive dampers. It's great for city use or in the suburbs but in open roads, it doesn't feel its sporty character from within. Overall, it's boring if you're on a trip in, let's just say, Tagaytay or Subic or Antipolo. It maybe quite a road trip car but for fun factor, it's worth a misery.

As for value of money, the Shuttle begins at 1,690,000 for the normal petrol variant while the hybrid model starts at 1,990,000 Yen so on paper, it's more affordable to own than the Prius Alpha and imagine how much money you save instead of buying the bigger Prius. Besides, with all that double clutch malarkey, this is much more engaging to drive than the Prius Alpha but rest assured, this is not the kind the car you want to own if you're still single or in a relationship. If you're married and had few kids, this is ideal for you or if you do have friends from high school, this is the better choice. Although the design looks more of a horseface to me, the new Shuttle might just be the ideal car for the Japanese family preparing for their imminent summer holiday.

Available colors: White Orchid Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Tinted Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Midnight Blue Beam Metallic, Mystic Garnet Pearl, Milano Red, and Gold Brown Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (May 15, 2015)

- Police officers retrieved the remains of workers who are died on the burning slipper factory in Valenzuela and when the search ended, the body count is at 72. Some say, the building housing of the factory is described as a death trap with poor fire safety standards.

- A United Nations decision on the case filed by the Philippines against China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea would be legally binding both countries, according to a top US official.

- Tokyo Electric Power Company began work on removing the cover of the No.1 reactor from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. The cover was installed in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 disasters to prevent radioactive dust from spreading but the reactor experienced a hydrogen explosion at the time of the accident.

- Over 600 migrants from Bangladesh and Burma stranded at sea have landed in the Aceh province of Indonesia, after being saved by local fishermen. They are thought to be at sea after being abandoned by human smugglers.

- El Gamma Penumbra, the Philippines' shadow play group, are named the first ever winners of the first ever Asia's Got Talent. They won the cash prize of US$100,000 and the chance to perform at the Manila Bay Sands in Singapore.

- The Yamato battleship from KanColle has spawned a Nendoroid figure courtesy of Good Smile Company and she'll be yours for 7,222 Yen plus tax when she arrives this September.

- As we heard, American Idol's 15th season, coming next year, will be the last season for the hit singing competition. Check out the best and worst from the hit series.

TTFN!!!

Mercedes-AMG C63 (W205)

As AMG saloons are getting turbocharged, it seems that the C63 has been the only saloon left behind because of its natural aspiration 6.2L V8 engine that deserves no explanation. Sure, most saloons got stuck with the soon-to-be-replaced 5.5L V8 BiTurbo or V12 BiTurbo for the S65 but for the C63, it just like a boy who is the only boy in the sibling of girls. Happily, however, there's a brand new version and it's going to be more promising than ever...sorta.

2015 Mercedes-AMG C63

2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate

For starters, the V8 engine is now turbocharged but due to the trends of downsizing, it's now a 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine like you get in the Mercedes-AMG GT sportscar. The old C63 AMG can do 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds but in the range-topping S model, the 0-100kph is now four seconds! The top speed is electronically limited to 250kph but if you opt for the AMG Driver's Package, you can have the limit raised to 290kph. That's more than what the old C63 would do.

So, how did they managed to get that much speed at so little engine of that size? Like we studied from the AMG GT, it's all about science and determination and for the conservative few, the new model has transformed from the whole "what a lovely day" insanity to a "what a nice day" sublimeness and it's now becoming more mature as what teenagers get during puberty.

On the normal roads, it feels as civilized as what a luxury car do in a day-to-day basis. It's nicer to drive, it's comfortable, and it's less showy than the old one. On the open roads, it works well like a gran tourer with four doors. And on the track, this car really wants to play idol with its dynamic character that wows the crowd on the stage. It's all thanks to its AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension and the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT which allows the driver to select different driving modes depending on the situation and when in its max attack mode or RACE mode, you can really make this car dance like a superstar on stage but it can be as thrilling as seeing disturbing images and videos shared on Facebook for no reason. It's like when you start Facebook, all you can start seeing is posts that are too boring to read and then when you keep digging deeper, you are encountering the most disturbing ones that posters want to share it to almost everyone. That sounds creepy but you can really feel your heart pumping faster than you think.

It is a very thrilling ride but since it's a four-door saloon (or a five-door estate should you choose the more spacious C63 Estate), it feels more lively to drive with on the normal roads. It's even great to drive one at your nearest groceries but most people will think you're more of a blockhead rather than being an ordinary salaryman. On the inside, it's like you're in charge of the office with everything at your disposal.

The base version of the AMG C63 starts at 76,101 Euros for the saloon and 77,767 Euros for the Estate version but the S version begins with 84,371 Euros for the saloon and 86,037 Euros for the Estate version. Yes, that sounds a lot of money and they're more expensive than the BMW M3 sedan or the Audi RS4 Avant but the performance for the new versions are well-balanced and that's something that these rivals clenching their teeth on and thanks to science, the new C63 is more of a gentlemen's feast served by a serial killer with his killer looks. Tasty...

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

Let's Do The News! (May 14, 2015)

- Attempts for the return of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, despite the ongoing Burundi coup, has failed and he has returned to Tanzania where he was attending a summit.

- Investigations on the derailed Amtrak train in Philadelphia yesterday, which killed seven people, revealed that the train travelled at twice the speed limit by about 106mph and the driver applied the emergency brakes in the event it came too fast. The speed was recorded on the train's black box recovered from the wreckage.

- Hostiles shot down five people, including an American citizen, at a guesthouse located in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. The shootout between hostiles and security forces lasted for five hours and then three hostiles are killed.

- 31 people are killed on a fire at a slipper factory located in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The fire broke out on Wednesday and spread through the entire factory where over 200 workers were inside the building and welding work was going on near the entrance.

- Two patrol planes from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have made a brief landing in Vietnam on their way back from an anti-piracy mission off Somalia.

- Sony announced that the movie adaptation on the Ratchet & Clank video game franchise hits US theaters this 29th of April, 2016, with Focus Features handling the US distribution of the film. Numerous celebrities are joining the cast for the new movie including Paul Giamatti, Monsters Inc's John Goodman, Shake It Up's Bella Thorne, Rosario Dawson, and action star Sylvester Stallone.

- The PS3-exclusive free-to-play flight shooting game Ace Combat Infinity has reached its first year in service and to commemorate their first anniversary, a new update has implemented. In addition to the new "Adriatic Sea Landing Operation" online co-op mission, three fan-favorite aircrafts are added such as the MiG-31B Foxhound, the very unique and very expensive X-49 Night Raven from Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere, and the ultra-powerful Fenrir which comes with the signature Long Range Shockwave Missile (LSWM).

- Getting ready for the 10th anniversary concert of THE iDOLM@STER this July? Looks like you will need some stuff to show some love from your favorite idols from this, Cinderella Girls, or Million Live. First, there's some light sticks which has a color representative to your favorite idol. There are total of 37 light sticks and it costs 1,200 yen each. If you bought a bountiful of light sticks as intended, you buy either a holstered belt for 2,500 yen or a more convenient bag for 6,000 yen.

- Luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce officially announced that they will name their upcoming convertible version of the Wraith as Dawn, after their legendary Silver Dawn convertible from the 1950's. It will be fully revealed this 2016.

- The brand new Seat Leon Cupra ST lapped the Nurburgring in 7:58 dead, making it the quickest estate to lap round the ring and it's quicker than the Audi RS4 Avant. It's even quicker than its 3-door cousin despite the added weight. We're super jealous for this ride!

TTFN!!!