Fuga Hybrid vs. Crown Hybrid

Nissan's first hybrid luxury sedan, the Fuga Hybrid (known as the Infiniti M35 Hybrid)

Toyota's Crown Hybrid

Both are premium JDM VIP luxury hybrid sedans built for wealthy Japanese executives. Yes, these were VIP hybrids for the Japanese VIPs. I wonder which of these hybrid knights is my pick?

CASE ONE:

Based on the Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M) Y51, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid is the first of Nissan's kind and part of the Nissan Pure Drive range. What surprises me is the VQ35HR engine with the added electric motor. As a hybrid, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid has the best fuel economy in its class thanks to the fuel economy of 19.0km/L. It is fitted with a 7-speed Semi-Automatic Transmission. With that fuel economy, imagine how far can you go with the new Fuga Hybrid. In the interior side, the new Fuga Hybrid boasts exceptional hospitality and relaxation because of the forest aircon, BOSE Surround Sound System, and the optional VIP Package to up the ante on the brougham's comfort zone for the executives. A hybrid brougham I want to get my hands on it...

CASE TWO:

When the 13th generation Toyota Crown was launched in February 2008, this generation marks the debut of the Crown Hybrid variant. The Crown Hybrid was based on the 2007 Toyota Crown Hybrid Concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and it was on sale since May 2008, following with the minor change at February 2010 (along with the Athlete and the Royal Saloon). Sadly, the Crown Hybrid's fuel efficiency of 15.8km/L was not good enough against the Fuga Hybrid. The interior is a bit fine for me but I personally prefer the inside of the Fuga Hybrid because its is far more luxurious than the Crown Hybrid. The only good point for the Crown Hybrid is the CVT.

As they said, the Nissan Fuga Hybrid is the most fuel efficient in its class. My big advantages for the Fuga Hybrid is the fuel economy, the comfort, the style, and the brougham spirit only executives can offer. The Crown Hybrid is a bit less of a luxury and the interior is a bit cheaper by the dozen. So I'll go with the Fuga Hybrid.

Tongue Tarang Tongue for 12-10-10

Here's the December 10 Tongue Tarang Tongue jokes from ABS-CBN's Banana Split earlier:

Pinoy: Kahit Na
Spanish: Masque Papano

Pinoy: Sunog balat ng babae
Japanese: Paso Kateh?

Pinoy: Mabilis magpatakbo
Spanish: Primera segunda tersera quarta quinta vroom vroom

Pinoy: Ang ibig kong sabihin
Japanese: Wataminasei

Pinoy: Maitim na tao
Spanish: Tostado

Pinoy: Eew kadiri!
Japanese: Yak yokko

Pinoy: Sira ipin
Spanish: La sipilyo tartar

Pinoy: Ayoko na kumain
Japanese: Hako Butsokna

Oh wait, RR Enriquez showcased the three O.A. (over active) stuff in "ANG O.A. MO!" such as "when you're wife is angry at your salary but just a small amount", "life vests and life boats ready but no typhoons, just rain showers", and "your pet is pregnant".

Also on the Banana Split mini-series titled "The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers", after Noli (Jayson Gainza), Julius (Badji Mortiz), and Kuring (Nina Jose) were arrested by cops, Ted (Jason Francisco) faces against the villain dressed in black again. The villain in black defeated Ted and send him to something extreme... Will Ted be saved? Find out on Monday in the new Banana Split mini-series titled The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers!

Gotcha Makulit! You're the 1 Series M Coupe after all!

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe interior

Ha! After teasing us with heavily camouflaged prototypes, pics, and videos, it seems that BMW M Power revealed the much anticipated 1 Series M Coupe after all!

GOTCHA!

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/09/officially-official-2012-bmw-1-series-m-coupe-is-ready-to-cut-a/

Ready for its NAIAS launch this January and commercialization starts this Summer 2011, this would be the best addition to the BMW M range.

For me, I think this car's a bit too little too late because of the upcoming BMW 1-Series hatch coming soon next year, but this M Coupe will rock our hearts!

It's suspicious that BMW M Power nicknamed the 1 Series M Coupe the "Pirate" because it has a characteristics of a pirate. ARRRRGGHH!

Whoa, no time for pirate stuff OK? This 1 Series M Coupe is the real 1 Series M Coupe, coming next year!

Who's ready?

The different faces of the DS3...

2011 Citroen DS3

As a big fan of Citroen's hot hatch, the DS3, the first of the Citroen DS (Different Spirit) range, I love the way the DS3 behaves, especially I tried it on Forza Motorsport 3 (from the DLC and now the Ultimate Collection). Not only the DS3 is eco-friendly because of the diesel engine, this is truly a fun to drive hot hatch. I never realized that this anti-retro hot hatch has several faces on their own; two are for racing purposes and one is a very special one.

2011 Citroen DS3 Racing

Seen here is the Citroen DS3 Racing, the special modified version of the DS3, limited to just 1,000 units (not sure if its sold out already). This special DS3 comes with the 1.6 THP 200 engine, releasing a power output of just 202ps and it comes equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

The coolest DS3 we wish to have...

2010 Citroen DS3 R3

2010 Citroen DS3 Rally Car Prototype

These two DS3 hatches are for racing purposes only (and every Forza 3 player who owned the DS3 can replicate these); first is the DS3 R3, this racing-spec DS3 is made for tarmac rally racing and suited under the FIA Group R3 regulations. The second is the DS3 all kitted up for next year's World Rally Championship with Loeb and Ogier piloting this... The DS3 will be the official Citroen Rally Car for next year's WRC, replacing the C4.

2011 Citroen DS3

The Citroen DS3 is an anti-retro hot hatch, and this is a perfect rally machine for the pros. I really really like the way the DS3 has been; fast, eco-friendly, and fun to drive!

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Mitsuoka Like

2011 Mitsuoka Like

With the inception of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (an electric vehicle based on the Mitsubishi i), and PSA Peugeot Citroen readies for the rebadged versions such as the i0n and the C-Zero, it seems that Mitsuoka is joining the OEM bandwagon as it released the i MiEV-based Like electric vehicle.

Like (Japanese: Raiku, 雷駆) is Mitsuoka's first electric vehicle that was based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. The front view of the Like is a different point of view because it's part of Mitsuoka's tradition to redesign cars out from existing ones such as the March-based Viewt, or the Corolla-based Galue 2-04. One glance at the Like's front view and you may be shocked by its eccentric face.

With the eccentric view, the Like is powered with the Mitsubishi YF41 electric engine. It operates at the power output of 64PS/3,000-6,000rpm and the torque output of 18.4kg-m/0-2,000rpm. The charge outlet for the Like hybrid can be about 100-200V, so its best to plug it in the right outlet.

My thoughts about the Like:

The Mitsubishi i MiEV-based Mitsuoka Like has an eccentric front view but with the heart of a true eco car becuase this is Mitsuoka's first electric vehicle designed for Mother Nature. I might think of it as a crowning glory of electric vehicles but the Like is the most eccentric electric vehicle designed for someone special...

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.

Are you the 1-Series M Coupe?!

This...is...fabulous!

Terrific! The true look of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe is shown in the clip!

How can I react if the 1-Series M Coupe will be revealed at the NAIAS next month?

Learn more at:

www.m-power.com

Well, guess I had fun with my mock-up of the BMW 1 M Coupe test mule at Forza 3 (actually an ordinary BMW 1 Coupe kitted with aero parts and designed to look like the 1 M Coupe mule)

A BMW 1 Series M Coupe Prototype at Forza 3? Nein, someone designed it...

Tongue Tarang Tongue for 12-08-10 (and Melai's tips to avoid being snatched during Christmas shopping)

Here's the Tongue Tarang Tongue from the December 8 episode of Banana Split:

Pinoy: Ang laki ng chips
Spanish: Nachong Macho

Pinoy: Nilait
Japanese: Kinucha

Pinoy: Nagbabasa ng pabaliktad
Spanish: Atras abante

Pinoy: Naglalasing
Japanese: Tumotoma

Pinoy: Erich Gonzales
Spanish: Katorse

Pinoy: Asong nagkakakalkal
Japanese: Hokkai-dog

Pinoy: Pampatuan
Spanish: Di inosente

Pinoy: Maraming nainom
Japanese: Yamoshasumuka

Oh, and I almost forgot, for those who don't want to get snatched by snatchers during Christmas shopping times, our favorite problem solver, Melai Cantiveros, is here for top 5 tips in M3: Melai Mo Magwork

5. Place a dumbbell on your bag so when snatched, the snatcher can't escape due to the dumbbell's weight!

4. Wear pocket-less pants and hide your wallet on a secret pocket

3. Your jewelries and accessories can be placed at your dog so the dog will scare the snatcher!

2. Dress yourself in reverse!

1. Add an alarm on your bag (but not a wang-wang!)