The Prestige K7 vs. 5G Grandeur vs. World Class Luxury Alpheon

2011 Kia K7

2012 Hyundai Grandeur

2011 GM Korea Alpheon

A trio of luxury Korean premium midsize sedans are one of my favorites. The Kia K7 (known worldwide as the Kia Cadenza), the Hyundai 5G Grandeur, and GM Korea's world class luxury Alpheon, are highly luxurious and both have GDi engines depending on the Korean executives' tastes. I wonder which of these three is my pick?

CASE ONE: On February 2011, the Kia K7 made its transition that all of the engines offered on this premium midsize sedan are all Gasoline Direct Injection engines. Now called "The Prestige K7", the Kia K7 now offers the 2.4L Theta-II GDi and the new Lambda V6 GDi engine, first offered on the Hyundai 5G Grandeur. The fuel economy of the K7 2.4 GDi takes about 12.8km/L while the K7 3.0 GDi goes for about 11.6km/L. The styling of the Kia K7 was too plain and bulgy but the headlamps seem to be a shining inheritance because when night falls, expect these daytime running lamps shine through.

CASE TWO: After its surprise appearance at one episode of KBS' action drama, The Fugitive Plan B, and debuted in South Korean market since mid-January 2011, the term 5G in the 5G Grandeur naming stands for "fifth generation", meaning that the Grandeur (known in some markets as the Azera) is now on its 5th generation. A legendary evolution on Hyundai's legendary name that made it the Korean take of Toyota Crown. The 5G Grandeur packs two engine types; a 2.4L Theta-II GDi and the new Lambda V6 GDi engine. The front looks more of an oversized YF Sonata and the rear view kinda looks like a Maserati Granturismo but the new 5G Grandeur is one beautiful specimen thanks to Hyundai's fluidic sculpture. This exterior look is way better than the Kia K7!

CASE THREE: The GM Korea Alpheon (formerly GM Daewoo Alpheon, after this company switched its name to GM Korea Company) was just a rebadged version of the second-generation Buick LaCrosse and it replaced the poor-selling, Australia-built, Veritas as the flaghsip model that takes on the likes of the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, Lexus GS, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The gorgeous exterior and the swooping interior lines truly made the Alpheon the new class of world class luxury. The 2.4L SIDI and the 3.0L SIDI engine are the available engine types available for the Alpheon. The 2.4L SIDI is a GDi engine that has a fuel economy of 10.6km/L and the 3.0L SIDI is also a GDi engine, packing a fuel efficiency of 9.3km/L. Not quite fuel efficient but its design is truly a work of art for the Alpheon.

As for me, I think the GM Korea Alpheon and the Hyundai 5G Grandeur are my pick when it comes to the design but if I had to choose one of these, I'd say it would be the Alpheon because of its world class design. The 5G Grandeur looks more of an oversized Sonata to me but I think the new look would need to be more attractive to appeal more Korean executives. Both the K7 and the 5G Grandeur are more fuel efficient than the Alpheon because their advanced GDi engines are optimized to make it more powerful, emit less, and labeled as full-fledged eco cars. It's up to you to decide which of these three sovereign Korean sedans is your pick. ^^

GT5 Remote Racing 101

Song played on my Personal BGM: Design for Tomorrow SACROMONTE MIX by Morgan Fisher

From the album: NON MON -Morgan Fisher CM Works-

Hey GT5 players! I think some of you never heard of Remote Racing right? Even when Remote Racing was implied on the Version 1.06 since February 2011, I think you guys never heard of it and focused on just online A-spec races.

I tried Remote Racing and it doesn't matter how my B-Spec drivers win or lose. What matters most is their participation. The more times they participate, the more cash you'll redeem after you select Receive Prizes on your B-Spec driver you shared online.

First off, share your B-Spec driver (or drivers if you have many) online by enable "Share with Friends". After sharing your B-Spec driver online, go to the [Community] section under [My Home]. At the [Community] section, select [Remote Race]. It can be found under the [My Lounge].

At the [Remote Race] section, select which race you want to start. Please take note that up to 16 B-Spec racers are allowed to race. When you select a race, you can choose your own B-Spec drivers. After selecting your own B-Spec driver, you can add your friends' B-Spec driver. Just remember that you need to have your friend shared his/her own B-Spec drivers.

If you want a replay of your hosted B-Spec race, turn on [Save Replay]. When you select [Enter Server Standby Mode When Race Ends], it will automatically set to Server Standby Mode after the race.

What happens if you are in Server Standby Mode? There's a catch, you can initiate Remote Races anywhere from your PC, laptop, tablet, or smart phones. Have your computer set to the official Gran Turismo website. No matter which language you're on, select GT5 My Home and log in using your Playstation Network account. At the GT5 My Home page, when you see the word "You are now ready to start a remote race", just click it and a pop up window will appear, using the same procedures what you did at your PS3; select a race, choose your own B-Spec driver, choose your friends' B-Spec drivers, and then click [Start Race].

Keep that in mind that the higher the B-Spec driver's level, the more this driver has an edge on winning battles but it doesn't matter. Participation is the key.

Remote Racing is a new way to play Gran Turismo no matter where you are. Just leave your PS3 to Server Standby mode, walk away, and set Remote Races no matter where you are! Cool! While you were gone, your driver will gain more cash just for you!

Class dismissed! Have fun using Remote Racing!

Winning the Korean COTY award makes the Kia K5 an EPIC RIDE!

2011 Kia K5

Launched at the Busan International Motor Show since late April 2010, outclassed the YF Sonata in sales, now famous for its "Epic Ride" advert, Kia's K5 (known worldwide as the third-generation Optima) awarded as South Korea's 2010-2011 Car of the Year!

Scoop:

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2934008

AWARD!

Once you're driving the award-winning K5, brace yourself with the policeman, bad guy, God of the sea, alien, and the ancient chief come getting their hands on Kia's world best medium sedan that is not your average midsize sedan.

Anyway, congratulations for the Kia K5/Optima for winning the award!

Now, South Koreans will have to wish for the T-GDi variant and the hybrid variant of the epic K5 to come to the South Korean market soon! ^^

This robot looks familiar...

Kuya Keem meets Demobot from Inkredibulok!

Hey this robot from the March 28 episode of Banana Split Daily Servings looks familiar...

Wasn't that the evil robot named "Demobot" from the Goin Bulilit special episode called "Inkredibulok" that was aired since January 16, 2011?

Huh, looks like Demobot showed up for the second time to mess Kuya Keem!

First attack

The first round of the 2011 Formula One Grand Prix at Melbourne, Australia ended with reigning F1 champ since 2010, Sebastian Vettel, winning the first round thanks to his pole position during the qualifying round.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/27/2011-australian-grand-prix-comes-straight-from-a-land-down-under/

Not bad for S. Vettel! (^_^;)

The end of F1 2011 round one made Red Bull Racing - Renault to the 1st place at 35 points while McLaren-Mercedes landed 2nd at 26 points, and Ferrari made it on 3rd place with 18 poitns.

Further details;

1) http://www.formula1.com/results/season/

2) http://www.formula1.com/results/team/

3) http://www.formula1.com/results/driver/

See you guys in Malaysia for Round 2!

BMW 6-Series Coupe and Convertible (F12/F13) Full Model Change

2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible and
2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe

Since 2003, BMW returned the 6-Series as a grand touring sports car for the elite customers. The old Chris Bangle design from the previous BMW 6-Series truly captivated most men in their 30's to 50's because of its masculine looks, smart technology, and ravaging performance.

Now, in 2011, the BMW 6-Series was progressed even further on its latest full model change, designated by the chassis codes F12 on the Convertible and F13 on the Coupe form. In an unexpected twist, the Convertible variant of the new BMW 6-Series will be the first to be available to the European market this Spring while the new 6-Series Coupe will be follow shortly this Summer or Autumn, depending on market conditions.

Heavily influenced from the 2010 BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept at the 2010 Mondial D' Automobile at Paris, France, the new 6-Series boasted an impressive elegance in the front and back. What puzzles me is the new rear view that is somewhat similar to the Nissan Silvia S15. What an unexpected twist for this new generation 6-Series.

Available as of press time is the choice of two engines; the N55B30 3.0L L6 TwinPower TurboValvetronic engine and a N63B44 4.4L TwinPower Turbo direct injection engine. The N55B30 engine is loaded with 320 PS of power, 450 Nm or torque, and can reach 5,7 seconds on the 0-100km run. The N63B44 engine, on the other hand, is loaded with about 408 PS of power, 600 Nm or torque, and can go for about 5 seconds on the 0-100km run. Both of these engines are loaded with an 8-speed Sports automatic gearbox and comes with an idling stop system courtesy of BMW EfficientDynamics that allows these majestic engines to shut off when stopped on the traffic, giving it an optimized fuel efficiency and less emissions. Another eco-warrior made for the elite drivers.

My thoughts about the 6-Series:
As of press time, the new 6-Series got themselves turbocharged, which is a good news for those turbo-hungry car addicts, but the bad news was there's no manual transmission yet for the new 6-Series. On the other hand, the new 6-Series is destined to be an eco-warrior thanks to the idling stop feature courtesy of BMW EfficientDynamics, which shuts down the engine automatically when stopped.

Because of the unexpected twist, only the Convertible variant will be first to be on sale, starting at the ridiculous pricing of just 83,300 Euros (or if it hits in the Philippines, an unbelievable pricing of a possible 9.6 million Philippine Pesos may occur) for the 640i Convertible. Should Asian Carmakers Corporation bring this new model to the Philippines soon? I don't know and I'm not a future gazer you know but still, this turbocharged model really hits the spot! Looks like the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio are going to be upset with this one!

Photo: BMW AG

Peugeot 308 minor change advert is ♪walking on the rain♪

This latest commercial for the Peugeot 308 minor change looks intensive. Seeing a woman getting soaked in the rain sounds original for that ad and the 308 minor change really hits the spot!

Speaking of somebody asking what was that song played on this latest Peugeot 308 ad, the song played on the new 308 ad is "Walking in the Rain" by "Flash and the Pan" and this song really connects to the intensive commercial for the new 308.

A very intensive commercial with a very relaxing song!♫

One day at Barrier Audi - About the 3rd generation A8

Aggressive approach

After getting myself motivated from the Super Bowl commercial (you know, the Release the Hounds commercial), I visited the Barrier Audi dealer in Bellevue to check out the new, third-generation Audi A8. Like what they said, luxury has progressed.

Mastering the weapon

On hold

Ready

First attack

Upon getting inside, I felt I was some kind of a corporate mercenary in Berlin, but the new A8 is just the tour de force for the elite customers looking for something far advanced than the Lexus LS, BMW 7-Series, or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The dashboard looks remarkable, the MMI system doesn't look shabby, and I even tried to get a hold of its handwriting recognition!

Choose your selection

Which fits best?

The MMI is good

I need to listen to some classical music

iPod Connectivity

The MMI interface on the new A8 is exceptional. Also, I even managed to try out its iPod connectivity. Never know it offered some high tech features on this majestic premium sedan but the pricing really scrambled my mind.

WHOA! Someone left a PSP!

In case you're wondering, I got behind the wheel of the LWB variant of the new A8, but despite its long wheelbase, it's still the sharp-dressed A8 I've ever experience.

Every master needs a weapon

It makes me feel like a commander when getting inside the new A8. Looks like this is great before hearing the Kenny G. LOL The new A8 escaped the confinement of old luxury and luxury has progressed. A brilliant masterpiece created by Audi.

Laughs on fire!

What happened on the March 26 episode of Banana Split anyway?

- The hottest and latest showbiz news on HOT ISSUE

- Nasusunog jokes!

- Kuya Keem on Mutanglawin tells more on anime and cosplay

- Some three things that are O.A. according to Pokwang on ANG OA MO! like;

1) Eating the remaining food plus ketchup remains and pizza crumbs

"Sure, you can eat them all"

2) Installing a church bell at your household

A church bell at a household?

3) Chopping a tree but use it on small purposes

He's chopping some tree

- some dances

- and a game of Just Draw It!

One day at Barrier Audi - About the R8 Spyder

Audi R8 Spyder front

Audi R8 Spyder rear

I gotta admit it that the convertible version of the hot Audi R8 sports car, the Audi R8 Spyder looks brilliant to see a drop-top version of the blockbuster midship quattro sports car. Fast fact that it was featured in the Iron Man 2 movie.

Audi R8 Spyder interior

Practice shifting the R-tronic tranny

Practicing driving this exotic

With the roof open, I can assume that the R8 Spyder is one heck of a 2-seat roadster, something only the elite can get through. It's amazing that this one is loaded with the MMI and the R8 exclusive R-tronic transmission.

And proud of it, man!

Good thing the R8 Spyder is one of my favorite Audis that was offered in Bellevue's Barrier Audi dealer and I believe this one's progress as much as the slogan's "Luxury has Progressed" that was made to be unbelievable.

This R8 Spyder is hot and I like it!

Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Mk.3

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class interior

The latest Mercedes-Benz SLK Class' full model change is just the third generation of the blockbuster 2-seater premium sports roadster that keeps its sporty, lightweight, and compact characteristics, despite this latest SLK is now a miniature version of the exotic SLS AMG.

The exterior and interior design were heavily influenced from the SLS AMG sportscar, just how the second-generation received an SLR McLaren-like face. What's new on the SLK is the new Magic Sky Control roof. The new Magic Sky Control roof has a glass-top roof, similar to the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet, that can be shaded from light to dark at the touch of the button. See something unpleasant in the sky? Just shade the Magic Sky Control roof to the darkest. However, if you want to see something beautiful at the top, try to lighten up the Magic Sky Control roof. This optional feature adds a wow factor the all-new SLK-Class.

As of press time, the all new SLK features the first three variants with new engine types. The SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY 6AT grade features the M271 engine that produces 184 PS of power, 270 Nm of torque, and top speed of 237 km/h. The 7G-Tronic variant of the SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY improved its top speed by 3km/h. The SLK 250 BlueEFFICIENCY variant improves the M271 engine with a 20 PS increase in power and an improved top speed of 243 km/h. The SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped with the M276 engine that has a power output of 306 PS, torque output of 370 Nm, armed with the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission, and top speed of 250 km/h. Most of the engines offered are Euro V compliant.

Other wondrous features on the new SLK include the new draught-stop system called AIRGUIDE, ECO start/stop system, available Dynamic Handling package, drowsiness detection system, PRE-SAFE, and other features that makes this new roadster reliable for the driver and passenger.

My thoughts about the SLK:
The previous second-generation SLK looks more like a baby SLR McLaren because of the F1-inspired front, but now, the latest third-generation SLK now became a baby SLS AMG with some elements from the CLS mixed. This premium sports roadster from Mercedes-Benz is now armed with the world's first Magic Sky Control roof that can be brightened or shade it just the way they want.

The pricing of the new SLK 200 BlueEFFICIENCY starts at 38,675 Euros (or about 4.45 million Philippine pesos) up to 52,301 Euros (about 6.1 million Philippine pesos) for the SLK 350 BlueEfficiency 7G-Tronic variant. Sales of the new SLK will start this late March for the European market and soon in other markets. I just hope that CATS Motors will bring this new SLK to the Philippines soon.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Ford Focus Third Generation

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus interior

The third-generation Ford Focus is now a global vehicle, meaning that North American and international markets get the same new look as part of the One Ford program.

With the Europe market offered in three trims; sedan, hatch and station wagon, the North American Focus Mk.3 offers only two body styles; a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. What matters most is that the world is all one for the all-new, third-generation, Ford Focus.

The exterior of the new Ford Focus was inspired from the Ford Fiesta, providing some aggressive stance and European design suitable for the sophomores who are looking for something that is highly competitive against the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda Axela/3, Mitsubishi Galant Fortis/Lancer, Subaru Impreza, or even the Kia Forte/Cerato and the Hyundai Avante/Elantra.

The interior of the new global Focus is highly improved to make it premium with some added premium features suitable for the savvy drivers. The available 8-inch LCD touch screen with MyFord Touch system is made for those who need to look for some directions, stay up-to-date with the latest news, or just listening to some music.

The global Focus comes with the new 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI I-4 engine that gains a power output of 160hp/6500rpm, torque output of 146lb. ft. /4450rpm, and it has a fuel economy of 36mpg highway on the 5-speed manual grade and 38mpg highway on the 6-speed PowerShift automatic with SelectShift manual control. In some states, an available Partial Zero Emission engine option for the 2.0L Ti-VCT GDI l-4 engine is available to make it more of an American eco-car.

The global Focus comes with the new Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), which is great on your cornering preferences and with the Pull-Drift Compensation technology, you'll find less hassles on turning various corners. To eliminate the causes of under-steering, the new Torque Vectoring Control system is added for transferring the torque for optimum grip. Other cornering enhancers include the AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control, anti-lock brakes, and sport-tuned suspension.

My thoughts about the Focus:
Finally, the new third-generation Focus is now made to be a global vehicle, settling the differences since the 2nd-generation Focus that has separate tastes from the US and in the global market. Thanks to the One Ford program, this latest Focus is made to make it "The world is all one", providing some world class design, world class performance, and everything world class to appeal most drivers who had it with their Corollas, Civics, or even the Chevrolet Cruze as well!

I expect that this new global Focus will hit the Philippines soon if FGP has the chance.

Photo: Ford Motor Company