Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz's ultimate successor to the classic 300SL and the striking but now defunct SLR McLaren might not have been as hot as its predecessors, but the performance truly makes it the "new age lightspeed goddess" of this generation. The SLS AMG brings the AMG powerhouse up the antes even further and mostly gained the spirit of the legendary 300SL at the same pace.







To make men drool to the SLS AMG's style, the gullwing doors makes it a perfect combination of yesterday and tomorrow in the eyes of the Mercedes-Benz universe. To top it all, the style that was inspired from the 300SL is the root of hopes and dreams driven by fate and the engineering of Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, the powerhouse behind the ubiquitous "6.3 AMG" line. Not only that, the retractable spoiler that rises on high speeds or braking makes it a lovely feature for this lightning machine.







For the eyes of the owner, the interior gets most of the fun factor, despite the seating capacity is fitted for two adults. With only two seats equipped on this car, the SLS AMG is perfect for men who want to take a long-legged dame on a highway date 24/7.







To top it all off, the SLS AMG is equipped with the M159 V8 natural aspiration engine that has over 500 PS of power, accumulating the top speed of 315km/h and 3.8-second time from the 0-100kmh run. To bring most of the SLS AMG's majestic performance, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission gives men to shift freely from turn to turn. As for the braking, an optional carbon ceramic disc brakes give this "new age lightspeed goddess" improved stopping power from the regular brakes.

My thoughts about the SLS AMG:
Former Ferrari F1 driver, now Mercedes-Benz F1 driver, Michael Schumacher was really surprised by the raw power of the SLS AMG, even the question "is it still a car?" really confuses Mercedes-Benz fans from across the globe. Now, it needs to be tested by the men from BBC's Top Gear to see how the SLS AMG will achieve from their power lap times. If Pocholo Ramirez were still alive, he would give this German Mauser a true roar on the Subic racetrack. Anyway, the SLS AMG's explosive packaging makes it a grand comeback of the legendary Gullwing machine that makes men drool all the way to the Nurburgring.


Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Spark!! To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Original Sound Track 1

Based on Kazuma Tamachi's science fiction fantasy light novel, To Aru Kagaku No Railgun, the spin-off from the hit 2008 anime, To Aru Majutsu No Index, revolves from the life and times of Mikoto Misaka, one of the Level 5 ESPers, who is an electromaster that shoots electricity, like a railgun, and her roommate Kuroko Shirai, a Level 4 teleporter who calls Misaka "onee-sama" all the time. Most fans found out that To Aru Kagaku No Railgun is more entertaining than the original because of the female characters, including newer ones like Kazari Uiharu (fans like this character because she is another one of Aki Toyosaki's anime roles) and Ruiko Saten (fans found this character entertaining than Mikoto Misaka) as well. With only a few episodes remaining on this high-voltage anime that packs a sting on the fans, Geneon Universal stings the Railgun fans with the first part of this soundtrack, subnamed as Spark!! Composed by Maiko Iuchi from I've Sound (who also worked from the original Majutsu No Index), twenty-two high voltage tracks (including the TV-sized versions of the songs "only my railgun" by fripside and "Dear My Friend" by Elisa, both full versions of this tracks are sold separately as a single album) stings the ears out of the Railgun fans, relieving every single moment of Mikoto Misaka, one coin toss at the time. Great when you want to recharge the best Railgun moments from the beginning.

Track Listings:
1. only my railgun -TVサイズ- (by fripside, full track sold separately as a single)
2. 常盤台中学校
3. 風紀委員の活動
4. ジャッジメントですの!
5. 初春飾利
6. 学舎の園
7. お姉さま…
8. 黒子の企て
9. いつもの仲間と
10. 策謀
11. searcher
12. battle area
13. 大切な友達
14. 渇望
15. 噂されるモノ
16. アンチスキル
17. 小さな望み
18. RAILGUN SHOOT
19. 逆転
20. あのときの約束
21. 木山せんせい
22. Dear My Friend まだ見ぬ未来へ -TVサイズ- (by Elisa, full track sold separately as a single)

Best Part: Twenty-two fully charged tracks are packed with even more voltage than Mikoto Misaka shooting electricity.

Worst Part: There is even more aside from this! (To Aru Kagaku No Railgun O.S.T. Part 2 coming soon!)

Mitsubishi RVR (New)/ASX/Outlander Sport

Back from 2007 IAA at Frankfurt, Germany, Mitsubishi Motors has prepared the Concept-CX that hinted Mitsubishi fans with surprises. The production version of the Concept-CX welcomes back the three letters that were disappeared since 2002. You heard that, ladies and gentlemen, the name RVR is back in the scene and this time, it is a miniature version of the popular Lancer-based Outlander crossover.










To make things interesting for its comeback, Mitsubishi used the same jet-like grille, as seen on the Galant Fortis (Lancer EX), Lancer Evolution, and the soon-to-be-facelifted Outlander. Aside from that, the right sizing makes it a combative compact crossover, making a single dent on Nissan's upcoming Juke crossover and consumers take advantage of the its new form, even Bugs Bunny from the Looney Tunes.

From the powerful 1.8-litre MIVEC engine, INVECS-III CVT, Active Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Drive Mode Selector (available on 4WD), super wide HID headlight, and host of safety features, you can rest assure that this combat crossover has the edge that is performed to be almost like a wind.



My thoughts about the RVR:
Designed and engineered like the wind, the return of the RVR (also on sale in Europe this year as the ASX) is definitely the combat crossover utility, prepared for the entire family, especially young drivers who wanted to take a glimpse of this small crossover. As a formidable foe against the Daihatsu Be-Go, Toyota Rush, and for the upcoming Nissan Juke, crossover maestros might think twice before considering the RVR as their best bet for this category.

Reader Note: Why I put "Bugs Bunny of Looney Tunes" in this one? That is because of the Japanese commercial featuring Bugs Bunny and the first-generation RVR. Check it out!

Photo: Autoc-one.jp

Daihatsu Second-Generation Boon & Toyota Second-Generation Passo with Passo +Hana

The Storia's successor, the Boon, which is also the Duet's successor, the Passo (since Toyota became partners with Daihatsu), is the perfect match for women with the sense of fashionable lifestyle. (Remember the Japanese Passo commercial with Rosa Kato and the Boon commercial with Rena Tanaka) The Boon and the Passo became successful not just in Japan, but in Asia and Europe under the name of the Daihatsu Sirion or the Subaru Justy.

Now, in this year, change is finally applied to these fashionable compacts:








A certain fashionable women state that each style has its own taste. As for the second-generation Boon and the second-generation Passo, a certain fashionable sense is perfect for the women's taste of cute cars. Available only on the Toyota Passo is the more stylish +Hana (plus hana) variant.





This variant features a sporty exterior, chrome rear lamps, and stylish two-tone upholstery.

Both of them are equipped with a choice of two engines; from the 1.3-liter, 16-valve engine that delivers 95PS of power, and the economical 1.0-litre, 12-valve engine that has the outstanding fuel economy of 22.5km/L, giving them more travel time for the women, especially both of them are equipped with the economical CVT.

My thoughts about the Boon & the Passo:
Judging from its vague but cute look, the Boon and the Passo are a woman's sweet post-valentine treat, especially when a certain woman has a fate to choose between a man with a sports car or the compact car destined to be the perfect soul mate for a woman.


Reader Note: Originally, Toyota Motor Corporation would postpone the launch of the Passo because of the worldwide recall, and yet the Passo's launch did not postpone because Daihatsu was behind the manufacture of the Passo, which is in fact, the Passo is the OEM of the Boon.



Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation/Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Ford Fiesta -U.S. Spec-

Back in Europe, the Fiesta from Ford is the best compact car that leaves drivers out to their daily siesta and in to their driving fantasies. With over 500,000 Ford Fiestas sold in Europe and Asia, the United States of America (Ford Motor Company's homegrown country) is finally bringing home the bacon, I mean, the Fiesta.

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

While European countries get the 3-door hatchback, the America-spec Fiesta comes in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback in the very beginning. Sales for the American Fiesta start either at 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year. For Pinoy Ford enthusiasts like you, expect the Fiesta will hit the Philippine market very soon, and when it hits, it will be like a marching fiesta that hits like the Ati-Atihan, the Sinulog festival, the Higantes festival and before you know it, the parade floats from the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Now onto the basics, the Fiesta was based on the Verve concept car and it uses the same platform from the Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) for that purpose. While other countries have a choice of engines (1.4-litre, 1.6-litre diesel, and more), the U.S. Fiesta only offers the 1.6-litre, straight-four engine, capable of releasing a minimal power of 119hp and the fuel economy of 40MPG on the highway basis. Aside from that, the Fiesta has a choice of two transmission types; choose from the 5-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed automatic transmission with PowerShift, making the Fiesta sportier like no other.

2011 Ford Fiesta interior

The best part for the Fiesta is the interior. Owners can take advantage of the astonishing features such as the laminated glass, cell phone-inspired center console, leather seats, engine starter button, and more features give them some attractive experience.

My thoughts about the Fiesta:
Like the parade of floats marching on the streets from Europe, Asia, and now the United States, the Fiesta compact sedan and hatchback pummel out the drivers' siesta and awakes their senses with its striking design, unquestionable performance, attractive packaging and more. With the United States bringing home the Fiesta, will Ford Philippines bring the Fiesta?

Photo: Ford

Still more bad case of Toyota's mass recall

The Toyota Prius (in regular and Plug-in hybrid variants)

The Lexus HS 250h

and the Toyota SAI.

All of these Toyotas shown were hybrids. As of that ever since the mass recall of the third-generation Prius' braking problems, they also included the Lexus HS 250h and the Toyota SAI in the list of recalled Toyotas. First, from the gas pedals that happened in the American and European roads, and now the worldwide panic over the Toyota hybrids' braking troubles.

Aside from the never-ending mas recall, the official website of Toyota Motor Corporation made its announcement. The announcement can be found at this link:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/announcement/100209.html

As for those Filipinos who own the Prius, there is good news: Toyota Motor Philippines got you covered with special repairs. 

If I wonder if there is a Muntinlupa resident who drives a Prius, I'll tell that driver there is a braking problem and bring it to Toyota Alabang for a special repair.

Hope this nightmare will be temporary for Japan's number one automaker.

In the lighter side, Toyota made a facelift of the 13th-generation Crown (Athlete, Royal, and Hybrid series) and the long-wheelbase version of the RAV4, known as the Vanguard.

Toyota 13th Generation Crown Series Minor Change

2011 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon

2011 Toyota Crown Athlete

2011 Toyota Crown Hybrid

Back in February 2008, the thirteenth-generation Crown was launched by Toyota Motor Corporation, giving the brand's most legendary sedan truly living it up by its legendary name. Aside from offering the sporty Athlete and the premium Royal Saloon, a Hybrid version is included to bring its green factor to its rival luxury hybrids.

Two years later, all three Crowns (the Athlete, Royal Saloon, and Hybrid) received a major facelift to keep this legendary Crown name updated, and relinquish the glory days of Toyota's legendary JDM executive sedan. On the outer side, three Crowns gained a refreshed look while remaining a status of being a thirteenth-generation model.

The Crown Royal Saloon boasts exceptional luxury on the front and back, with its elegant radiator grille, new wheels, and new rear lamps. The Crown Athlete gets even more aggressive with its new aggressive front grille, new bumper, sportier rims, and a sportier rear lamps, giving this sports executive vehicle something to bring a favor. The Crown Hybrid now looks more the same as the Crown Royal Saloon, but both the Crown logo and the Toyota logo shines in trademark Synergy Blue color, that is the trademark of Toyota hybrids. The interior remains the same in my opinion but updated to keep it fresh and alive for all three Crowns. The Athlete's interior gets even darker, the Royal Saloon's interior gets even lighter, and the Hybrid's interior, um, well, you'll do the rest.

The only change happened is the fuel efficiency of both the Athlete and the Royal Saloon, but only the 2.5L variants offered. At first, the 2.5L V6 (4GR-FSE) engine offers a fuel economy of 12.0km/L, but now, due to the "eco-car genzei" system, the fuel economy of the 4GR-FSE engine is improved with the new fuel economy of 12.4km/L, about 4km/L of increase to meet the regulations of being an eco-car under Japan's "eco-car genzei" system. The Athlete's 3.5L V6 (2GR-FSE), the Royal Saloon's 3.0L V6 (3GR-FSE), and the Hybrid's 2GR-FSE engine pretty remains the same, meaning nothing is new to those. Still, the Crown Athlete and Royal Saloon offers a 6-speed Automatic while the Hybrid offers only the CVT.

My thoughts about the Crown:
New look, same features. That is how I described the recently facelifted Crown Series (Athlete, Royal Saloon, and Hybrid) in a bold kind of way. Even the outside is new, nothing's really new about what's inside except the 2.5L V6 engine of both the Athlete and the Royal Saloon is updated to be more fuel efficient. My favorite Crown of the three Crowns is the Athlete series because it suits my likes for sports executive sedan, but still no sign of turbo yet until Modellista came up with the tuned version of the Crown Athlete, dubbed +M Supercharger.

Still, this Japan-only executive sedan truly living it up to its name as the most legendary executive sports sedan offered for the wealthy Japanese businessman. If it set worldwide, the Crown can outperform the likes of the Nissan Fuga, BMW 5-Series, MB E-Class, Lexus GS, or even the Hyundai Genesis sedan. I hope that Toyota Motor Philippines bring back the Crown name with that look or find it as a surplus in Subic, Cagayan, Davao, or Cebu very soon.



Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation