SUPER NOISY HONDA CR-Z TUNER CARS!

Here we go again! As I keep on hearing the noise coming out on modified Hondas such as the Civic, Prelude, Accord, Fit, NSX, or Integra (Acura RSX), it seems my favorite hybrid car, the Honda CR-Z got tuned for SEMA 2010!

Check out the rest of the modified Honda CR-Z:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/sema-2010-honda-cr-z-hybrid-tuning.html

Time to get my earplugs on because these modified CR-Z Sport Hybrids from the SEMA 2010 are sure enough to blow some super noisy sounds straight from the muffler!

SUPER NOISY SPORT HYBRIDS GO VROOOOOM!

Eh? Uban Zone on Banana Split again?

This November 6 episode of Banana Split goes like this:

- Fresh bash of showbiz news straight from Balitang Siksik Showbiz Edition

- Jokes at Boracay, include, riding on the yacht, at the dance bar, and at the beach

- The crazed masseur, Rizza Masahista (RR Enriquez) , strikes back! As if, strikes the back of Jayson Gainza 'till his body is covered in sand!

- Angelica Panginiban, as Badaphne, visits a safari-themed room on the Urban Zone spoor, Uban Zone. When she visits some bathroom, which has a tiger on it, Badaphne attacked by a tiger!

- Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco, that's Melason to you and me, in the tattoo parlor. Something wrong? Melason rewinds it back to you! (Yep, Melason tandem is the funniest tandem)

- The boys visit D'Mall, Boracay, for some dances

- John Prats, as Kuya Keem, in "Mga Shorts ni Kuya Keem (Mutanglawin Trivia)", explains more on sunblock. Can sunblock be also used on the fishes?

- The most ridiculous stuff to do are featured in the segment called "Ang O.A. Mo!" Some stupid stuff that is OA include, surfing on the log, lifeguard at the kiddie pool, and yelling if you were hurt but henna tattoo is placed without the sting.

A special joy of BMW Z4...unless if you're in Japan...

If you were a Bimmer fanatic reside in Japan, then BMW Japan launched a special, limited-to-15-units, edition of the second-generation BMW Z4.

2011 BMW Z4 Silver Top

Dubbed the BMW Z4 Silver Top, this limited edition, Japan-only, BMW Z4 offers a silver roof, black body, and red interior.

Scoop:

http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=265700&lindID=4

Guess we may never going to get this special joy because the joy of the special-edition Z4 is for Japanese consumers only and its limited to just 15 units. Luckily we might be able to have one of these thanks to Forza 3.

BMW Z4 "Silver Top" on Forza Motorsport 3

See what I mean? A BMW Z4 Silver Roof made by leopauldelrosario on Forza Motorsport 3, to replicate the look of the Japan-only BMW Z4 Silver Top limited edition. It's obvious that Forza fans can replicate everything they saw!

Pricing of the BMW Z4 Silver Top limited edition costs around 5,590,00 Yen (about below $50,000 or 6,850,000 Pesos, not that accurate, but depends on the import tax) and its limited to just 15 units.

That Bubble Gang episode is so good, you'll never hear someone outside!

Packed with the new anime-themed opening sequence, as a treat for being 15 years, then called "Bubble Gang Kin-Z", this November 5 episode of Bubble Gang episode is so great, you'll never hear someone honking outside your house!

On that episode, Bubble Gang radio station gags where someone found what appears to be lost.

Sketches include an odd, half-naked, visitors, a rap battle between Rapper Band and Rapper Shoes (rap never been this fun), a tablemate at the beerhouse, a kasambahay enjoy Bubble Gang while someone's honking car horns (this kasambahay is watching some Bubble Gang moments include Bathroom Dance, a nurse station, Tya Ring, a Sabi-sabi episode, and DO-SE-NA), and what they're doing on a MRT.

Don't forget about the IyoTube part.

Cheche and Bureche are here again on the episode on plants, worms, and gummi worms. Oh, and look out everyone, Bonggang Bonggang Bongbong is at it again in Sumbong Sumbong kay Bonggang Bongbong where he warns about some annoying stuff about female students showing off by their make-up, someone who brings a pocketbook but not reading it, and a man sings with a super loud voice thanks to the headphone set to a max volume.

The war is over, you can take off your red stilettos now...

In the past Monday to Thursday, we witnessed how it happened in the fashion drama, Magkaribal;

- Gelai (Bea Alonzo) defeated Victoria (Gretchen Barretto)

- Vera (Angel Aquino) is in a brink of financial ruin

- Louie (Derek Ramsay) told that Gelai is Victoria's long lost sister, Angela, and later Louie dies

- Gelai's fashion shop burned by Vera

- Victoria and Gelai/Angela reunited

- Vera is the suspect of the arson, told by the cops and Caloy (Enchong Dee)

Magkaribal ending

We finally witnessed the ending of Magkaribal, the most fashionable TV drama on ABS-CBN. In the final episode, Victoria finally reunites with Gelai, I mean, Angela. Later, Gelai showed the once kept dream collection their mother, Stella, kept it before her death. Victoria wants to collaborate with Gelai to fulfill their mother's dream collection. Then, Chloe (Erich Gonzales) appeared with a box full of letters kept by Vera. For that, Mark Gil made a surprise comeback when Victoria, Chloe, and Gelai read a letter about a promise.

Chloe persuaded her mom, Vera, to stop, and come to the show to be good to Victoria and Gelai. Later, we witnessed a kilig moment with Chloe and Caloy.

On that evening, the Stella's Collection launching day has just begun, thanks to the collaboration of Victoria and Gelai/Angela. Reuniting a sisters made this a great part on the Magkaribal ending. Too bad about the chandelier part Vera tries to kill the sisters just to have someone fall the chandelier to them, but backfired. 

Upon the narration, we saw a bunch of magazine covers. Victoria pauses her career, Chloe and Caloy had a grand wedding, Gelai's adoptive parents, Sonia and Hermes, and Victoria's adoptive father, Ronaldo, doing a wonderful life, and Vera payed for all her sins she committed. That's fashion life.

What will be missed on Magkaribal is the fashion designs, the beautiful gowns, and the sense of fashion most viewers find inspiration to be like Victoria and Gelai. Of course, Magkaribal is a drama not just about rivalry, it is a drama just about fashion trends.

If I remember the best line "You want war? I'll give you war" and "I'll be there in my red stilettos", well Magkaribal is over. The war is over, you can take off your red stilettos now.

16GT!

Today, Nissan announced that the turbo variant of the best-selling, currently new, Nissan Juke crossover, is now on sale across Japanese Nissan dealerships.

Read the full press:

http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2010/_STORY/101102-01-e.html

2011 Nissan Juke 16GT

This Juke's now fully armed with the high-performance MR16DDT (1.6L Direct Injection Petrol Engine) DIG Turbo engine and with the optional All-Mode 4X4-i system to go further everywhere. The blade's been sharpened, the face gets tougher, the Juke's urban legend in Japan is just begun. With strong sales since its Japan debut in June 2010, the new DIG Turbo engine will whisk away the competition. The Mitsubishi RVR (ASX) and the Subaru Impreza XV are going to be upset when they hear this!

Hope that this turbocharged Juke will be on the Philippines soon if NMPI or Universal Motors has the chance.

How the Fabia was made

Most European car enthusiasts know about how the Skoda Fabia is made, and no, we're not going to Mlada Boleslav to see how the Skoda Fabia is made, some TV commercial is showing how the second generation Fabia is made, by means of cake made from lovely stuff, such as raisins, marzipans, and sugar.

Months after the launch of the facelifted Skoda Fabia Mk2 and the return of the vRS variant in the form of a turbocharger+supercharger engine equipped hot hatch, it seems the Cake ad from the Skoda Fabia is evolved into something...mean...

...very...very...mean...

"Made of meaner stuff", sounds scary but awesome! On the new Skoda Fabia vRS ad, we see how this hot hatch is made; door's made by tough men, rims made of swords, vultures doing the body frame, twincharger engine made of snakes, roof colored black thanks to the motorcycle burning rubber, windshield wiper made of crossbow bolt, and the newly built Fabia vRS roared. Now that's a monster.

I always like the way the new Skoda Fabia vRS is, its a monster used the same 1.4 TSi twincharger engine as the Volkswagen Polo GTi (and soon, the Audi A1), but the price is cheaper than the Polo GTi. Europeans are going like the way how the Skoda Fabia vRS is made. It's a monster, I can tell, but it's fun to keep this monster hatch if you have the urge to have it.

Second Generation Scion tC

2011 Scion tC

The second generation Scion tC is the coupe that tries to look at it best when it comes to its new robotic styling while retaining the original length and height of the first generation model that was launched since 2004 as a 2005 model. First off, one glance of the new 2nd generation tC really reminds us of the previous first generation model but with the new front, new side design, new wheels, and a new rear design, all is clear for a major overall for Scion's most popular FF coupe that is likely to target against the likes of the USDM Civic Si Coupe, well not quite necessarily. I can always imagine how many young adults in their 20's to 30's driving this kind of car that made it more popular to the trends of FF coupes. Even tuners take the new 2nd generation Scion tC for granted because of such circumstances.

One thing to aware is the new interior of the new Scion tC. Although it might be quite good enough in terms of comfort, the new interior design of the new Scion tC lacks character. I am clearly say that some of them still prefer the old interior from the 1st generation tC because of the character it shows. Despite having a shape of a 2-door coupe, the Scion tC still classifies as a 3-door liftback because of the lftgate that opens like a hatchback for added space and it even comes with a tonneau board as well. Despite the character-lacking interior, it still looks good enough to be inside the new tC, as if to nothing.

The new Scion tC replaced the previous 2.4L 2AZ-FE straight-4 engine with the new 2.5L 2AR-FE straight-4 engine. This new engine offered on the new tC provides maximum horsepower of 180 @ 6000 RPM and the torque goes about 173lb-ft @ 4100 RPM. If you were in a 6-speed manual variant, you'll get 31MPG highway while in a 6-speed automatic variant, you will get as much as 31MPG highway as well! Just be sure that the 6-speed manual transmission on the new Scion tC is overall fun for the owners so be advised because this is going to be a wild ride. The new tC is now offered with a standard Vehicle Stability Control for added safety but forget about it.

Color variation includes Black, Cement, Classical Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Nautical Blue Metallic, Sizzling Crimson Mica, and Super White.

My comment:
Despite the new interior lacks character, the new exterior really shows its character because of such design or so they thought. Now imagine if I can see one as a gray market import in the Philippines...well never mind. I don't need explanations about it but the new Scion tC is all about style at its best.

Photo: Toyota Motor Sales USA

Last night's Goin Bulilit episode...

Yesterday, it was Halloween, a time for trick or treat.

In Goin Bulilit, last night's special episode turns the childhood game "Langit Lupa Impyerno" to a whole new meaning. Titled Langit Lupa, this special Halloween episode corners the Goin Bulilit kids telling a scary story about three kids. When their dad tries to fix a car, a mysterious kid appear and lured the kids to something they called heaven. I called it on that part because of the kids playing and the delicious snacks served. But things are not "heaven" to them as...ugh...there too many to explain in words but here is the shot from last night's episode.

Goin Bulilit Special Episode - Langit Lupa

Wow that was scary, and fun to watch with a few laughs from the Goin Bulilit kids and Dagul. Looks like I'm not going to play a game of Langit Lupa Impyerno after watching this special episode!

Fourth-Generation Hyundai Accent RB

2011 Hyundai Accent

Back in April 2010, at the Beijing Motor Show, Hyundai unwrapped the new Verna (known as Accent in some countries, including North America and the Philippines) to bring an edge to the Chinese market and it was on sale since August 2010. In South Korea, Koreans are eager about the new Verna, but Hyundai decided to rename this Verna (now under the chassis code of RB) back to Accent after 11 years of absence. It seems odd why they will rename it back is completely a discreet thought for the Korean automotive brand behind the CRDi engines that we Filipinos love, but whatever, the important thing is, the Accent gained a much awaited full model change.

The Chinese-market Accent or Verna looks more like a YF Sonata, but the South Korean-spec Hyundai Accent resembles more like the Hyundai Avante MD (Fifth-generation Elantra), thanks to Hyundai's fluidic sculpture philosophy. Honestly, the fourth-generation Accent RB resembles more like the RB Concept from the Moscow Motor Show 2010. Much likely, this will be sold in Russia as the Hyundai Solaris by next year.

The profile for the new Accent resembles more of a sports coupe, giving an edge of sportiness on the outside every time boys want to have fun with this compact sedan.

2011 Hyundai Accent interior

The new Accent RB has an interior so exquisite, you may think that this interior is way better thanthe Kia Rio because of such shape! The main question is, does this new interior made the new Accent so manly, only grown men can fit in?

OK, now on the engine types, the new Accent features two available engines available if this car made its Korean debut this early November. First off is the entry-level 1.4L CVVT engine produces a power output of 107hp, and then, there's the high-performance Gamma 1.6L GDi engine (derived from the Avante MD) produces a higher power output of 140hp with the fuel economy of 16.7km/L. So much for that eco car, we just hope that the CRDi R E-VGT engine will be equipped on that new model to make it more fun for diesel-loving Filipinos like us but we'll have to wait until Hyundai Motor Company will decide if the CRDi E-VGT diesel engine is a perfect match for the fourth-generation Accent. Anyway, the 1.4L CVVT variant features a 5-speed manual, 5-speed auto, and a 4-speed auto transmission while the GDi 1.6L variant features a 6-speed manual and the 6-speed automatic.

Available in six exterior colors such as Crystal White, Veloster Red, Blue Ocean, Sleek Silver, Carbon Gray, and Phantom Black.

My thoughts about the Accent:
In my honest opinions, I think that the 1.6L GDi variant for the new Accent was not a good fit in the Philippines because it can't handle most of our gasolines, so we best be fitted with the 1.4L CVVT engine, and no word yet if the CRDi R E-VGT diesel engine can make it to the new Accent for now. Despite my opinion, the new Accent became the most stylish compact sedan that is targeted by young men. I am very excited to witness how this new model be if this car makes it for South Korean launched this early November and soon next year in the U.S. and in the Philippines! What's great about the Accent is the new design based on Hyundai's fluidic sculpture but what's needed for us is the CRDi R E-VGT diesel engine to make this new Accent more of an eco-car rather than being a sporty compact that can compete the Toyota Belta, Kia Rio/Pride, or even the upcoming Volkswagen Jetta (take note; the Euro-spec Jetta. Not the North America-spec Jetta currently on sale in the North American market) to show who's the best eco sedan built for the young males. I had my fingers crossed that this new Accent will reign supreme. I also hope for the hatchback version too!

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun -Original Video Animation-

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun OVA

When Majutsu no Index II airs and the incoming Majutsu no Index PSP coming this winter, most Railgun fans truly miss the whole girls-day-out spin-off, titled To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (日本名：とある科学の超電磁砲), since it was ended on late March 2010. When the anime ended, they still enjoy the whole Railgun day out thanks to the Archives CDs (from drama parts to character songs) to keep the whole thing as a remembrance.

As a remembrance, Geneon Universal brings this girls-day-out spin-off a second chance in the form of a OVA. It's a made for DVD and Blu-ray extra episode of the phenomenal story revolving in the life and times of a Level 5 Electromaster, Mikoto "Biri-Biri" Misaka, along with Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten. In this extra episode, after Saten told a scary story, something's wrong is happening with Biribiri. We don't really know what's going on but is it somewhat happened after a scary story? What lurks around Misaka?

This OVA seems to be more of a decent souvenir for Railgun fans who want to savor the flavor of the whole Railgun story and this would be a good memorabilia to watch it over and over again. After watching the OVA, what do you think, does anyone still like Railgun? I know they will like it to remember it forever.

As always, good job for the production staff responsible of this! Always staying ahead on the game!

Ah...Biribiri, Kuroko, Uiharu, and Saten are always a part of every otakus' precious memories.

CAST:

Rina Satou (Negi Springfield from Mahou Sensei Negima!) as Mikoto Misaka

Satomi Arai as Kuroko Shirai

Aki Toyosaki (Yui Hirasawa from K-On!) as Kazari Uiharu

Kanae Ito (Amu Hinamori from Shugo Chara series) as Ruiko Saten

Kana Ueda (Sakuya Aizawa from Hayate the Combat Butler!) as Mii Konori

Atsushi Abe as Toma Kamijo




DVD and Blu-ray Release Date: October 29, 2010
Distribution: Geneon Universal Entertainment

Bubble Gang 15th Anniversary Special Episode "Bungalow" - My Impressions

October 29, 2010, the exact date when Bubble Gang aired this 15th Anniversary special episode about two cousins who inherited a mysterious bungalow from their late grandfather. That episode featured not just ghosts, cousins, sexy girls, but also songs from the late Yoyoy Villame such as Philippine Geography, Tarzan at Barok, Mag-Exercise Tayo, Butsekik, Awit na Kanta, Magellan, Nasaan Ka Darling, Hayop na Combo, and Bungalow.

In the Philippine Geography song, Michael V sounded like Louis Armstrong to make it sappy. Of course, Philippines has a great history, especially in this song mentioning the entire Philippine cities, including Manila, where the boys set off for their adventure through the bungalow.

With the boys' clothes been stripped off by some hold-upper and wearing some leafy stuff on their bodies, they think they were like Tarzan and Barok. OK, about the song "Tarzan at Barok", yawn... boring.

With the cousins visited their grandfather's bungalow, thanks to some scary person named Attorney, played by Antonio Aquitania, the boys saw their neighbors none other than the Bubble Gang girls, thus playing a sexier version of Mag-Exercise Tayo. Yep, that version was sexy thanks to the Bubble Gang girls, from Ruffa Mae Quinto, Maureen Larrazabal, Sam Pinto, Ellen Adarna, Gwen Zamora, and others.

With Totoy (Michael V) thinks that living on this haunted bungalow seems uncomfortable, he imagines about going to the Chinese cemetery working as a gatherer of candles, so the song Butsekik with the opening tone sounded like 2ne1's Fire. Chinese song with the tone inspired from K-Pop songs truly turn this Bubble Gang version of Butsekik kicks it up. But that's imagination for being drunk. Because of Totoy's saying that being drunk makes you sing, Nonoy (Ogie Alcasid) sings Awit na Kanta in some slow romantic manner. I really like the part where..um...ah... what is it, but whatever.

With the cousins invited by the girls to a party where men dressed like Lapu-Lapu and Magellan. Because of that, the Magellan song kicks it up and the tone was just like Tik Tok. I love that part. Get it? My favorite part on the Magellan song is the start. It sounded like the start of the song Tik Tok. Magellan is the best song on this special episode!

With the cousins' encounter with a ghost named Anna, played by Jackie Rice, she explains about her past, about her love interest named Miguel, played by Michael V. With that, Miguel performs a pop version of Yoyoy Villame's Nasaan Ka Darling. Wow, it sounded more like some popular pop music we listened through our MP3s. There was a rap part of this song too. This version of Nasaan Ka Darling mixes sadness and drama on that tune but truly it is fun.

With the battle against the man (Wendell Ramos) who separated Anna and Miguel is over, thanks to the ghost of the cousins' grandfather (played by guest star German "Kuya Germs" Moreno) and his men, and Anna bids farewell to our heroes, it seems that they were hungry, so they dressed themselves and headed to the house of sexy girls where the party was happened and leftovers ahoy. Everyone at the party are wasted! Nonoy said he missed some band, and Totoy said "hayop", which means... HAYOP NA COMBO! Heck Yeah! Rock and Roll! Make that my favorite part of this special episode.  This Bubble Gang version of Yoyoy Villame's Hayop na Combo really rocks!

With the cousins encountered a girl named Annie, played by Jackie Rice, this special episode is finished with the song Bungalow. The opening tone sounded like Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. Oh look! Everyone's invited! The cousins, the addict, Attorney, the sexy girls, the ghost of the cousins' grandfather, and everyone! Bunga-Bungalow, Bunga-Bungalow, Bunga-Bungalow, I want your Bungalow!

That episode was too memorable. Not only because it's 15 years old now, but this episode featured more of the Yoyoy Villame songs. Looking forward to see how Bubble Gang evolves because this comedy gag show is so legendary, we consider this a comical legend.