GM Daewoo (GM Korea) Chevrolet Orlando

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Orlando

When GM Daewoo is still in the process of renaming it into GM Korea Company, the Korean division of General Motors launched the first of the eight Chevrolet vehicles to the South Korean market. Six of them will be made from Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, while the two Chevrolet models are imported from the North American market. The first Korean-made Chevrolet that will mark the beginning of Chevrolet and the countdown of renaming "GM Daewoo Auto and Technology" into "GM Korea Company" is the Active Live Vehicle known as the Chevrolet Orlando (쉐보레 올란도).

Made for the global market except the United States and Japan, the Chevrolet Orlando is the first Korean Chevrolet that will help revolutionize the Korean division of General Motors and to bring out the best for Korean families. With the concept of "Active Life Vehicle", the Orlando marks the new category because of its ruggedness of an SUV, sedan riding comfort, and spaciousness of a minivan. Think of it as the Korean-American take on Mitsubishi Fuzion/Zinger MPV.

GM Korea's Chevrolet Orlando is powered with the 2.0L DOHC Turbo Diesel engine, capable of releasing a fresh power output of 163hp and the torque output of 36.7kg-m. The 2.0L 6-Speed Automatic variant has a fuel economy of 14.0km/L while the 2.0L 6-Speed Manual variant has a fuel economy of 17.4km/L. In other terms, driving a manual variant of the Orlando takes you further if you are planning a trip from Manila to Cabanatuan.

My thoughts about the Chevrolet Orlando:
The Chevrolet Orlando marks the first of the eight Chevrolet vehicles to be launched in the Korean market. As always told from GM Daewoo CEO, now GM Korea Company CEO, Mike Arcamone said that six Chevrolet models are domestic while two are North American imports. As it gets near, the GM Daewoo Lacetti Premiere and the Matiz Creative will be branded as Chevrolet Cruze and Spark, planned to rename existing models while retaining the GM Daewoo brand on vehicles such as Damas, Labo, and the Alpheon premium sedan.

The Orlando is intended for the global market and it's not coming to the United States and Japan. If The Covenant Car Company Inc. plans to launch the Korean-made Orlando to the Philippines soon, the Mitsubishi Fuzion, Toyota Avanza and Innova, and the Nissan Grand Livina might be shocked to see such a worthy Korean-American contender stepping on the competition. Also, if someone plans a Philippine commercial for the Orlando, leave it to Ryan Agoncillo because he's the brand ambassador for Chevrolet Philippines. If Ryan Agoncillo's going for a joyride in Orlando, he'll bring the whole family for an entire trip around the country with the new Orlando, Chevrolet's Active Life Vehicle created from GM Korea (formerly GM Daewoo). Sales for the Orlando starts at March 2011 in South Korea and soon worldwide except USA and Japan.

Dodge Journey/Chrysler Dodge JC Minor Change

For the second phase of Dodge's crossover utility vehicle, the Dodge Journey (known in Japan as Chrysler Dodge JC) gained an even more aggressive stance to max out its crossover potential and to repel the competition away from boring crossovers.

2011 Dodge Journey

2011 Dodge Journey interior

The revised Journey/JC comes with the new trademark Dodge grille as seen on the third-generation Durango and the upcoming Charger sedan, packed with an aggressive front bumper to bring out its cool appeal. The rear view's also changed with the hint of the DODGE emblem spelled it out like this "D O D G E" and minus the Ram logo. With the aggressive minor change, every young drivers in their 20's and 30's would go gaga for that stylish and handsome crossover.

The interior of the Journey/JC has been heavily redesigned to make it more functional, sophisticated, and high-tech, bringing out every edge of fun factor for the driver. Depending on the variant, the Journey has some of the finest features like Uconnect touch CD/DVD/MP3 player, Infinity Premium Speakers, Uconnect Voice Command, Audio Jack input for most mobile devices, USB port, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio with free 1-year subscription to SIRIUS Radio Service. Best of all, the Journey can seat up to seven passengers. Great for the middle class families and for the hip youngsters for their next road trip.

There are now two available engines offered on the Journey/JC Phase II; aside from the entry-level 2.4L DOHC 16V Dual VVT engine, there is a new Pentastar V6 3.6L VVT engine. Debuted in the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee last year, the new Pentastar V6 3.6L VVT produces 283HP/6350rpm and the fuel economy of 25mpg highway. Most Journey/JC variants with the new Pentastar V6 engine comes standard with the 6-Speed Automatic 62TE Transmission, while the entry level 2.4L variant is equipped with just the 4-Speed Automatic VLP Transmission. The best variant is the new 3.6L variant because of the gears, new engine, everything you need to know.

My thoughts about the Journey:
Revamped to take on new challenges (and the possibility of coming to Europe as the Fiat Freemont), the second phase of the Journey/JC is just one of the many reasons why Dodge is back from the dead. With the new Durango, new Charger, Grand Caravan minor change, improved Challenger, and the Avenger's minor change, it is good to say that the latest minor change for the Journey/JC is just one of them and adopting Dodge's new concept "Never Neutral", they are always NEVER NEUTRAL on North American roads.

I just hope that CATS Motors got the memo and bring either the Dodge Journey's minor change or possibly the Fiat Freemont to the Philippines soon but pricing seems to be an unhappy manner because it might just cost us over 2 million Philippine Pesos for the 2.4L variant and over 3 million pesos for the 3.6L V6 variant.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC.

3DS

Nintendo 3DS

On sale in Japan since February 26, 2011, later on in North America and Europe in late March 2011, the revolutionary glasses-free 3D hand held video game system, the Nintendo 3DS, marks the new genre of portable 3D gaming experience, The Nintendo 3DS is the world's first portable 3D video game console that brings video games come to life in 3D and yes, this new category will shape up the Japanese video game brand and to bring the coolest appeal to the customers.

The styling of the 3DS derived from its predecessor, the Nintendo DS, to make it more of an enhanced version of the flip top portable video gaming console, A huge change is the addition of an analog stick that made a huge twist in the 3DS. Another thing standard on the 3DS is the new 3D camera, that allows users to photograph everything and watch them come to life in 3D.

What's included in the 3DS is the built-in software made for fun-to-use every time. It even has a Mii Maker to create your own Miis, which is different from creating Miis from your Wii, AR (augmented reality) games, 3DS sound, which allows you to listen to your favorite music and even record your own sounds, Face Raiders, surf the internet, and others that made the 3DS more interesting to handle.

The 3DS is the world's first portable hand held device that features motion sensor and gyro sensor. Moving the 3DS anywhere you want is like the same way you did from a Wii remote! Just be careful not to pull some epic fails on this feature!

The Nintendo 3DS not only plays 3DS exclusive games but also allows backwards compatibility, allowing the will to play almost all existing DS titles (except Guitar Hero), including Pokemon Black and White versions!

List of 3DS exclusive titles include Super Street Fighter IV, PES/Winning Eleven, and Ridge Racer are finally sold separately by the time the 3DS is here. Other titles such as Biohazard/Resident Evil: The Mercenaries, Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater, Legend of Zelda, and other 3DS exclusive games may soon follow. As for now, feel free to enjoy the rich lineup of 3DS titles and see if which 3DS game best fits you. A lot of Japanese 3DS first timers must have pick the Professor Layton game and even the Ridge Racer 3D game. This must be the start of something new...

Those who are in the US and Europe may have to wait 'till late March and when that happens, it will be a great pasalubong for the kids.

WHAT'S GREAT: 3D, borrowed some features from the DSi, create your own Mii, analog stick, motion sensor, and backwards capability.

WHAT'S NOT SO GREAT: Pricing starts at about 25,000 Japanese Yen, $250 or about 15,000 Philippine Pesos when it arrives. Two colors; Blue and Black

Official Site:

Japanese: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/index.html

English: http://www.nintendo.com/3ds

French: http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/fr/

Spanish: http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/es/

Annoying phone calls? Use the voice changer pill!

James Bang's videochatting to someone

Yikes! Boss is here!

Ryan Bang, as James Bang, explodes to action on the February 26 episode of ABS-CBN's Banana Split! His latest mission is to help a young woman's problem regarding her encounter with an annoying and harassing phone call from her boyfriend!

James Bang explodes in action

She heard a harassing phone call

As the weird gets even weirder, she even encounter some harassing text message like this

...even a harassing text message

If its getting weird, one gadget will help her! It's called the Voice Changer Pill, a pill that changes your voice!

Voice Changer Pill

With the voice changer pill, she sounded more like a man, stopping the harassing phone call from her boyfriend and scare his butt away! Okay, okay, weird stuff about women with manly voices!

Looks like things getting ugly for James Bang

Ha! Ha! Ha! That's what you get from helping a problematic woman, James Bang! Mission Accomplished!

Questions? Problems? Ask Jobert!

If you have complexing questions, one funny man has the answer and his name is "Kuya Jobert Austria" on some sketch called Ask Jobert. We have questions, Jobert answers them in a stomach-aching, hilarious, and upright funny kind of way. Ha! Ha Ha!

The audience laughs at Jobert's answers

We laughed at Kuya Jobert's hilarious answers, especially CPR (carbon potassium radioactive) and SPF (special petroleum fahrenheit). LOL

Knock-knockan!

Banana Split's playing a brand new game to see who's got the better knock-knock jokes in a new game called "Knock-Knockan". In Knock-Knockan, two teams (Team Sabit and Team Sablay) will make knock knock jokes (by any means of singing) out of the words per round. It will be judged by three X's. The team with the fewer X's wins. Loser team gets a punishment (and we don't mean a Sisid Marino kind of punishment).

It seems nobody made a good knock knock joke, even Rasheed, John, Jason, and Ryan. Only Angelica made a good knock knock joke under the "Tulala" word by remixing it. The winner is Team Sablay becaue of the fewer X's according to the game's mechanics.

Dance with Hybrid - Lexus CT 200h Philippine Debut!

2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport

After its Japan debut in January 12, 2011, Toyota Motor Philippines and Lexus Manila finally brought the first full-fledged premium hybrid hatchback, the Lexus CT 200h, in the Philippines! And yes, this is how they do it!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/lexus-manila-launches-ct200h

Check out the new Lexus CT 200h at http://www.lexus.com.ph/model/ct/ct200h/ct200h.html

Ang dramang ito ay brought to you by...

...OK, no time for drama. We experienced some laugh trip on the February 25 episode of Bubble Gang! That night's episode includes:

- "Anong ginawa mo sa anak ko?" gags

- Drama with a hint of advertising like Dolkelan pain killer, Red Snake energy drink, Silver Puti tomato ketchup, Albatros all-in-one shampoo, and Mentals chewy candy.

- SPLASH REPORT! There was a protest coming and the newscaster didn't catch what happened!

- What happened to Bureche's doll? The head is missing... When dad came, Bureche passed the heat to Cheche (after swapped dolls). Later on, someone showed up and found the head of Bureche's doll. It's Justin Bibbo!

Cheche, Bureche, meet Justin Bibbo!

- Bubble Gang does Nido! They spoofed the commercial of Nido, then gagged as Medo. More milk, less sugar. See the difference!

Bubble Gang does Nido

- Bubble Gang does Baker King! They spoofed the Korean drama, Baker King, gagged as "Beke King!" Great, another Korean drama parody from Bubble Gang!

Beke King

- Does this guy can walk well?

- Bubble Gang presents "Salingawngaw"

The Koreana ending made us had enough...

Koreana ending

Well, almost, kind of. Even when Koreana ended, we Filipinos still remain our love to all things Korean. Guess Kris Bernal's performance on the daytime TV drama on GMA wasn't so bad after all.

About the finale, Benjo and Joshua tries to rescue Jenna, trapped in a coffin alive. Well, I can't remember the rest of what happened...

Guess, we had enough of our liking to all things Korean, well almost. Even Koreana has ended, we still like everything Korean, and also that Kapuso star, Kris Bernal.

Mitsubishi Delica D:2

2012 Mitsubishi Delica D:2

When the new Suzuki Solio launched since December 24, 2010 (and already on sale since January 7, 2011), Mitsubishi Motors collaborated with Suzuki for selling their own version of the new Solio. As a result, in February 24, 2011, the Mitsubishi version of the second-generation Solio turned out to be "another Delica", coming to dealerships this March 10.

Calling this "another Delica" that slots next to the Delica D:5, my understanding about the new Delica D:2 is pretty much the same as the new Suzuki Solio. In case that Mitsubishi fans want to know more about the 2012 Mitsubishi Delica D:2, here are five things you should know about this "another Delica" that has the same features found on the new Suzuki Solio;

1) Big Space - The Mitsubishi Delica D:2 is very spacious indeed. Spacious enough to fit up to five people and its legroom is not so shabby either.

2) Sliding Doors - The Mitsubishi Delica D:2 has two sliding doors, making it a fun-to-access experience for this compact minivan made exclusively for Japanese Mitsubishi fans who think that the Delica D:5 is too expensive for them. They can be open either physically or from a touch of a button.

3) Seating arrangements - The Mitsubishi Delica D:2 has a wide array of seating arrangements that fits your every scenarios.

4) Fuel Economy - The Mitsubishi Delica D:2's K12B (1.2-litre 4-cylinder DOHC VVT engine) has a fuel economy of 22.5km/L (10-15 Mode, 20.0km/L in JC08 Mode). It comes with a CVT for optimized fuel efficiency.

5. Eco-car privileges; Most variants of the Mitsubishi Delica D:2 receive a 75% tax break as part of Japan's "Eco-car Genzei" system.

My thoughts about the Delica D:2:

Well, pretty much the same as the new Solio. Which means, there's nothing so special about the Mitsubishi version of the new Suzuki Solio, the Delica D:2. Just leave it to the Japanese Mitsubishi fans...

Just imagine that this is a new Suzuki Solio photoshopped with something Mitsubishi, well, this is no photoshopped Solio, this is the real deal!

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Brod Bro Bru for 2-24-11

Here's the Brod Bro Bru earlier from the 2-24-11 episode of Banana Split!

1) BROD: Kapitan Inggo kumakain ng bala

    BRO: Captain Inggo, the bullet eater
    BRU: Kapitana, lumalafangga ali-bang bangga

2) BROD: Batang sirena

    BRO: Little mermaid

    BRU: Danggit bulilit, danggit bulilit!

3) BROD: Isa lang ang nakakakita

    BRO: One-eyed Jack

    BRU: Randy Santiago

4) BROD: Pakita mong binabae ka

    BRO: Show that you are gay

    BRU: It's your show, it's your kla...it's shokla

5) BROD: Bata pa si Sabel

    BRO: Sabel is very young

    BRU: Bawal ma-elya kay Sabelya

6) BROD: Halika rito

    BRO: Come here, bro. Come here.

    BRU: Alyna

7) BROD: Patindi ng patindi

    BRO: Major major

    BRU: Bumivenus Raj!

Igor invented Basuracan!

Also on Tekkie Muna, starring Ryan Bang as Igor Stojokovic Krystic, a "basuracan" was invented by Igor for easy throwing the trash. Just be sure that the trash may throw it to you!

THE IDOLM@STER 2

THE IDOLM@STER 2

It came as a phenomenal "Japan Original" since it was first debuted in Jaunary 2007, garnered spin-offs, music CDs, live performances, Xenoglossia anime, and the soon-to-be-aired anime series coming to TBS, the IDOLM@STER series is known to be the "Japan Original" before it was overtaken by other video games. Now, February 24, 2011, IDOLM@STER is back and this time, it's better than the best in THE IDOLM@STER 2!

Yes, anime and game otakus. THE IDOLM@STER 2 has landed and everyone's playing it after they picked up from their doorsteps. THE IDOLM@STER 2 follows the same chemistry of its predecessors, combining the elements of a dating sim game and some Dance Dance Revolution-style button-mashing action at the same time. As the producer, you are taking responsibility to the idols of your own choice; from Haruka, Hibiki, Miki, Makoto, Chihaya, Takane, Yukiho, Mami, and Yayoi.

Every rehearsals, every concerts, every dates, everything you need to know as a producer is the key to achieve higher rankings and every idol's happiness. Once more, personalization can be a notable feature. Every idol's style can affect the outcome of the game and how you personalize your idols is up to you.

Also, feel free to snap shot your favorite idol's precious moments during concerts. It's best to keep your favorite idol moments after the concert.

As a producer, it's your responsibility to check schedules on when will the auditions, live performances, and others occur and best to be active on those venues in order to bring out the idols' star factor. If there's nothing left, feel free to spend time talking with your idols but just like any other dating sims we know, trust is necessary to make stronger ties between the producer (that's you) and the idols.

Annually, Namco Bandai games will present a wide array of downloadable contents to mix and match to your idols, plus songs you may want to try out for your next session.

TWO PACKAGES:

- Standard Package comes with the game plus a downloadable code for the song Little Match Girl and two PR cards from Weiss Schwarz.

- Limited Edition is jam-packed with a "Kirakira package" pics from your favorite idols, and a 765 Pro ID.

SIDE NOTE: THE WORLD IS ALL ONE! Responsibility, cuteness, and determination. That makes the "Japan Original" game returned with the fresh new challenge, new hopes, and a new IDOLM@STER experience. Can you handle this new experience packed with more cuteness?

STARRING:

Eriko Nakamura as Haruka Amami

Manami Numakura as Hibiki Ganaha

Akiko Hasegawa as Miki Hoshii

Hiromi Hirata as Makoto Kikuchi

Asami Imai as Chihaya Kisaragi

Yumi Hara as Takane Shijou

Asumi Asakura as Yukiho Hagiwara

Asami Shimoda as Mami Futami and Ami Futami

Mayako Nigo as Yayoi Takatsuki

Naomi Wakabayashi as Producer Ritsuko Akizuki

Rie Kugimiya as Iori Minase

Chiaki Takahashi as Azusa Miura

Now on, Daewoo Matiz and Lacetti will be known as GM Korea's Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Cruze!

GM Korea Chevrolet Spark and Cruze

GM Daewoo's Lacetti Premiere (launched since late 2008) and GM Daewoo's Matiz Creative (launched since Autumn 2009), will be renamed as GM Korea Chevrolet Spark and GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze (differentiating from the US Chevrolet Cruze, launched since Autumn 2010) as part of the Korean launch of Chevrolet and the renaming of "GM Daewoo Auto and Techonology" into "GM Korea Company" starting late March 2011.

Despite renames, they are not counted as one of the eight new Chevrolet models coming to South Korea this year, ranging from the Orlando ALV, Aveo Sedan and Hatch, the Camaro (CBU from America), Captiva SUV, new midsize sedan, an unnamed imported Chevy model, and something that will built at the Bupyeong plant.

We already have these two in the Philippines so the new naming will take effect to South Korea this March.

Ssangyong Korando C

2012 Ssangyong Korando C

The rebirth of Ssangyong is the time to rebirth a legendary name in the form of its new crossover look. The Korando name, stands for Korean Can Do, is now reborn and it's no longer a jeep form, it's now evolved into a Classy Utility Vehicle, designed and enhanced to topple against the Korean crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson iX, Kia Sportage R, and GM Korea's Chevrolet Orlando ALV. Don't call the new Korando C sexy nor smart. The C in the Korando C naming means "Classy", giving the concept term Classy Utility Vehicle come alive.

On its new look, the Korando C boasts a luxurious design that looks somewhat similar to Hyundai's Tucson iX and Kia's Sportage R, but its Classy detail is fit enough for the "classian" to get in. I'm impressed to see that the Korando C is no longer an ugly Korando in the past and now made even more stylish to meet the demands of style-worthy customers. On the inside, the new Korando C looks stylish, but it's pretty much more like the aging Super Rexton SUV. Despite that, this 21st Century Korando garnered some of the appeals from legendary designer, Giorgietto Giugiaro, making this reborn Korean crossover a world-class touch everyone deserves.

The new Korando C is powered with the new e-XDi200 engine. This new engine has a power output of either 175PS (manual variant) or 181 PS (auto variant), torque output of 36.7kg-m, and the class no. 1 fuel economy of 17.6km/L (2WD MT variant). With this fuel economy, I'm sure this will put the sexy Tucson and the smart Sportage to shambles. The reborn Korando made it more economical and finally garnered a status of being a Korean eco-car. Depending on the variant, two transmission types are offered to the Korando C; a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed E-tronic. The E-tronic variant uses shift-like dials on the steering wheel instead of paddle shifters. To shift down, press the "D-" button and to shift up, hit the "D+" button. First timers may find it hard to master this different E-tronic variant from the Korando C, but if they get a hang of it, it can be somewhat enjoyable. However, I still prefer the 6MT variant of the Korando C because with the 2WD and 6MT combined, this has the class-leading fuel economy.

The new Korando C comes in three types; Chic, Clubby, and Classy. Depending on the type, customers can choose either the 2.0L 2WD 6MT, 2.0L 2WD 6AT, 2.0L 4WD 6AT, or the 2.0L 4WD 6MT variant. It comes with seven exterior colors;

1) Space Black
2) Grand White
3) Silent Silver
4) Tonic Grey
5) Ice Blue
6) Vitamin Red
7) Sable Gray

My thoughts about the Korando C:
First encountered this 21st century Korando as the C200 concept in the past, debuted in February 22, 2011, and sales start early next month, the 21st century Korando marks the rebirth of Ssangyong Motor Company, after brinks of bankruptcy and now under Mahindra and Mahindra's control. It's good to say that if the Hyundai Tucson iX is sexy, and the Kia Sportage R is smart, the new Ssangyong Korando C is classy, as in "Classy Utility Vehicle" and its made for the upperclassmen who are in search for perfect crossovers. With class-leading fuel economy of 17.6km/L, the Ssangyong Korando's grand comeback staged victorious against those but is it worth the challenge? I hope someone compares these trio of Korean crossovers and decide if sexy, smart, or classy is the right thing when it comes to decide which Korean crossover will prevail, and with the Korando C, what new challenges will take on?

Photo: http://www.ajnews.co.kr/