Honda Accord Inspire CP3 -Phase Two-

2011 Honda Accord Inspire

Upon the arrival of the fifth-generation Honda Inspire (known worldwide as the seventh-generation Honda Accord, not to be confused with the Honda Accord Euro sold in the North America as the Acura TSX) since the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and sales started since the 2007 holiday season, it seems that some people are loyal to the Inspire's executive looks, premium interior, and the innovative 3.5L V6 i-VTEC engine with the world's first Variable Cylinder Management, which allows the engine to be automatically set to either 3, 4, or 6 cylinders, depending on the driver's driving tastes.

In late August 2010, the Honda Accord Inspire gained a minor change to be more elegant, more beautiful, more luxurious, and more fuel-efficient than its pre-facelift predecessor. On the front, the Accord Inspire received a new face that looks similar to the US-only Honda Accord Coupe, providing an aggressive stance on Honda's flagship medium-sized vehicle. On the back, the Accord Inspire rear lamps getting minor improvements. The Inspire's rims have changed too. On the inside, the Honda Accord Inspire has faux wood paneling all over to further improve its modest status for the customers.

There are four available options to choose from;

1) Regular Package which features front-seat side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, front seat Active Head Rest, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) + TCS (Traction Control System), discharge headlamps, front fog lamps with auto light control, rain-sensing wipers, power seats, power steering, LED door mirror winker, instrumental cluster, telescoping steering wheel, rear sunshade, cruise control, steering audio switch, Honda Smart Key System with Immobilizer, Intelligent Dual Full Auto Aircon, available Honda HDD Internavi System, USB Jack, Active Noise Control, DVD/CD/AM/FM Player, and six speakers.

2) Leather Interior features everything from the regular package with two leather color choices; ivory or black. A front seat heater is added to give warmth to the passengers on cold nights.

3) Advance Package features everything from the regular package with Adaptive Cruise Control and Adaptive Collision Mitigation Brake + Seat Belt

4) The fourth package of the Inspire combines all three packages into one, providing this car with complete options to be more luxurious for the semi-wealthy.

My thoughts about the Inspire:
With the fuel economy of the Honda Accord Inspire CP3 raised from the previous 9.8km/L to 9.9km/L, there's still nothing special about the latest minor facelift for the Honda Accord Inspire. New look, same features. That's how I can explain more about the latest facelift for the CP3 Inspire. With the facelift now on sale in Japan since late August, could Honda Cars Philippines have a chance to bring the newly redesigned Inspire here to the Philippines? The Honda Inspire is the leading target of cars such as the Hyundai Grandeur, Kia K5, Subaru Legacy B4, Mazda Atenza/6, and even the Toyota Camry.

Hmm... that's weird...

Back in 2009, when spending so much watching Japanese TV commercials, Toyota Motor Corpotation brought in Seishiro Kato, a cute and talented Japanese child star, as the cutest spokesperson for Toyota TV commercials, adopting the commercial role "Kodomo Tencho" (こども店長), a child dealer, to promote eco-car tax breaks and incentives on eco-friendly Toyota models, in case someone in Japan know more about the wonders of what JDM enthusiasts called the "Eco-car genzei" system.

So "kawaii" for a Japanese child star taking position as the spokesperson for Toyota, promoting the "eco-car genzei" on all eco-friendly Toyota models.

OK...OK...

On the first half on 2010, moments after Volkswagen overtaken Toyota Motor Corporation as the world's largest automobile manufacturer, the Japanese division of Volkswagen got something on their records, keeping Volkswagen sales in Japan up and running with the benefits of the "eco-car genzei" system.

Want to take a guess for Volkswagen Group Japan's biggest "eco-car genzei" tactic approach?

Take a look...

Volkswagen Group Japan's tactic to promote eco-car tax breaks on most fuel-efficient Volkswagens is to bring in Asami Himeka, also one of Japan's most popular child stars, and hey, that trick sure works well.

Hmm... wait, I saw that child star on a commercial of some Nintendo DS game from Konami, titled "Utacchi!"

Looks like some Japanese consumers going to think twice which side are they on. This looks interesting...

Heiwa to Kazuhira no Blues - What is it all about?

I saw something added on the line-up of MGSPW items:

http://www.konami.jp/mgs_pw/jp/lineup/item.html

If I look down on that page, I noticed that Peace Walker will have a Drama CD as what Hideo Kojima announced earlier that month. It's not just a Drama CD, they'll also have two character songs included, plus BGMs never before released in the Original Soundtrack.

Two character songs will be led by Akio Otsuka (as Snake) and Tomokazu Sugita (as Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller), so if you guys haven't heard of it, this will come out on this CD this fall.

Akio Otsuka, as Snake, will sing "Showa Blues" and Tomokazu Sugita, as Miller, will sing "Minato no Yoko Yokohama Yokosuka", making fans more interesting.

Hope I can pre-order that CD...

....Baklang Grasa once again...

Last night's Bubble Gang hit us with gags telling them "why did they stopped doing things in the bed?", a news report regarding some we called it "kontra sarili", how do soldiers say when one soldier is down, a little girl meets an orphaned little girl, abducted woman hiding in the closet (?), MoyMoy Palaboy and Roadfill gone heavy metal on IyoTube (please tell me what title of the song played on that segment), a puppet for a make-up, and some MMK-style drama.

On that night's episode, you've guessed it, another Oily and Greasy misfit in Baklang Grasa. In that part, Oily and Greasy compete in a beauty pageant (that is, oh come on, a pageant for beggars, LOL).

Guess Oily and Greasy never been funny than the highly intellectual beggars from "Muchas Grasas".

Suzuki New Swift (ZC72S)

2011 Suzuki Swift (ZC72S)

Slated for Japanese sales this September, the sixth-generation Suzuki Swift (Third-generation in the JDM category) was made to be an honest eco-car not just for Japan, but also for the rest of Asian and European markets. While the Swift Sports variant is just an issue of the past, most Suzuki enthusiasts will have to make do with just the regular version. The Swift's exterior was just an improved look of the previous generation with the side view that is similar to the Nissan Juke. On the rear view, the new Swift achieved a sexier curve, leaving the Toyota Passo and the Nissan March wave their white flags because the new Swift's attractive design beats the odds of these Japanese compacts.

On the inside, the Swift uses the interior found on Suzuki's medium sedan, the Kizashi. Once you get inside on the new Swift, you might have a split-second decision which is which because the Swift's interior is similar to the Kizashi. Who knows, this Kizashi-style interior will be outfitted to future Suzuki models as we say it.

With its styling cues, the new Suzuki Swift comes with the breakthrough K12B engine that produces a power output of 91PS/6,000rpm and the torque output of 12.0kg･m/4,800rpm. When armed with the 5-speed manual, the fuel efficiency will be 21.0km/L but with the CVT equipped on the new Swift, the fuel efficiency reaches to an optimum 23.0km/L. Not bad for an eco-car, outwitting the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Passo, but not well enough to fight the Nissan March because its fuel efficiency is way beyond compare.

My thoughts about the Swift:
With this compact having just the decent details, and with the Swift Sports variant coming very very soon, this Swift was made to be a decent competitor to the new Toyota Passo and the new Nissan March. Think about it, will Suzuki Philippines bring the new Swift here? The answer has a 60:40 fold, it may or it may not come but this compact is a perfect alternative to the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Jazz (Fit in other countries). Oh the contrary, you do not need to show her how the Swift's paddle shifters work, because she knows how you handle the new Swift well. The new Suzuki Swift will be available in Japan this September and the rest of the world sometime.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

The Gemballa re-birth

Despite Uwe Gemballa's whereabouts still unknown yet, Gemballa starts over from day one thanks to the new owner named Andreas Schwarz.

Full scoop:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/24/gemballa-officially-reborn-with-new-ceo-to-replace-missing-found/

AWWRIGHT! It's good to have our favorite Porsche tuner back on track thanks to its replacement owner.

With Gemballa's back, they're now working on tuning more Porsche cars, as well as the new Cayenne models.

I wonder what will the new Gemballa do with the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid? Find out soon!

...and oh, it's good to have the Gemballa brand back, despite the owner still missing.


Photo: Porsche

Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! Maid Latte Songs

Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! Maid Latte Songs

Don't worry, it's not the omuraisu with the words Misaki Ayuzawa squirted it out with ketchup and says ウザイ (uzai, annoying) in front on the TV sets, this is way better than her trademark tsundere omuraisu. Geneon Universal Entertainment presents the Maid Latte Songs from the hit anime, Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! (日本名: 会長はメイド様!) This CD is packed with six Maid Latte songs that will bring listeners straight to the Maid Latte and take a gander on Misaki Ayuzawa's tsundere omuraisu. First track led by Misaki Ayuzawa (CV: Ayumi Fujimura), the second will led by Satsuki (CV: Aki Toyosaki), number three will led by Honoka (CV: Kana Asumi), track four will led by Subaru (CV: Kana Ueda), the fifth will led by Erika (CV: Mariya Ise), and the last will be all of the Maid Latte maids. Does it ring a bell? Maybe I would take an order of one omuraisu and tell her to write down how does she feel and it will say ウザイ (uzai, annoying). This is a must-have for the Maid-sama fan.