Kia Soul Minor Change

2012 Kia Soul

Debuted since Autumn 2008, the Kia Soul is the kind of crossover that does everything with style thanks to its Peter Schreyer design that keeps it stylish. Now for the 2012 model year, the new Soul is back with even more style to wow the crowd than before. On the exterior design, the 2012 Soul receives some revised projector headlamps, redesigned front bumper, new set of rims, side lamps, and redesigned tail lamps. On the interior side, expect small updates occur to the 2012 Soul such as a new instrumental panel, heated steering wheel, and new blend of two-tone seats that provides a perfect balance of style and comfort. Did you see what I mean?

The 2012 Soul is now armed with the fuel-efficient Gamma 1.6 GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine that provides the enhanced power output of 140PS/6300rpm, torque output of 17kg·m/4850rpm, and it comes with the standard 6-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy of the new Soul is 15.7km/L but with the standard idling stop function on the new Kia Soul ECO Plus, the fuel economy has improved to a whopping 16.9km/L. This is the most crucial effort to make the 2012 Kia Soul more fun and economical with the good combination of a gasoline direct injection engine and idling stop function. Two times the charm, huh?

My Comment:

The facelifted 2012 Kia Soul is made to be even more stylish than before and with the standard Gamma 1.6L GDi engine, power output and fuel economy has been improved to be labeled as a true eco-car sold in South Korea. If you need more fuel economy, the Soul ECO Plus has more because of its idling stop function that shuts off the GDi 1.6L engine automatically when stopped at the red light, if you know what I mean.

I can't wait for CAC to bring the facelifted Soul soon to the Philippines but unfortunately we can't get the Gamma 1.6L GDi engine because of the country's dirty fuel. Let's see if Ms. Ginia Domingo, CAC president, has the chance to put the Soul minor change to the query of upcoming Kia models soon to arrive in the Philippines. Everything seems to be bullish now.

Photo: Kia Motors

2012 Perodua Myvi based on second-generation Daihatsu Boon/Toyota Passo unveiled

2012 Perodua Myvi

2012 Perodua Myvi interior

The second-generation Daihatsu Boon never make it worldwide as the Sirion due to Daihatsu's retreat to the European continent by 2013 but that doesn't stop the new Boon to be a worldwide car because Malaysian subsidiary, Perodua, launched the all new 2012 Myvi based on the second generation Daihatsu Boon/Toyota Passo.

Since it's made from Malaysia, modifications are made to made it more unisex than its donor car due to its feminine characteristics.

Sccop: http://paultan.org/2011/06/16/2011-perodua-myvi-full-details-and-first-impressions/

Does the all new Perodua Myvi exceeds expectations? 

Second generation Cadillac CTS-V Sedan - Forza 3 Owner's View

Dubai version CTS-V sedan!

If Best MOTORing is still alive, they should
tear the Tsukuba circuit with this!

The king of super saloons

No Nagare, no problem

2011 Mazda Premacy

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

Indeed the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, launched yesterday, was essentially Nissan version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. When I observed what's the difference on the exterior view, it's kinda appreciated that the new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ditched Mazda's Nagare design placed on the third-generation Mazda Premacy. Why did Nissan do with that kind of approach?

First off, the Highway Star range on most Nissan minivans such as the Roox, Elgrand, and Serena, are hughly successful when it comes to styling and for the latest Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, this model focuses on style. First off, take a third-generation Mazda Premacy as a donor car, modify the front, remove the waves from the side view, and style is a necessity. Without Mazda's Nagare design, the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good. No Nagare, no problem.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is now here and feel free to schedule test drives at your nearest Nissan Red Stage dealers or Nissan Blue Stage dealers throughout Japan. If you have to choose between the third-generation Mazda Premacy (CWEFW) and the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN), what would you prefer?

Fit Shuttle orders reached to about 7000 customers.

2012 Honda Fit Shuttle

With the launch of the 2012 Honda Fit Shuttle today, Honda said that orders for the Fit Shuttle range reached to about 7000 customers.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/0/148604/

However, there's a unsuspecting twist according to Honda and it said that if you order one today, delivery time will take about two months, which is somewhat a short delay than the Toyota Prius α's delivery time of one year which means you may still have a chance to get one because it will take up to two months for the delivery of the Fit Shuttle.

Soon, let's compare the Toyota Prius α against the Honda Fit Shuttle Hybrid. With Prius α's strong sales, can the Honda Fit Shuttle range fight back with its affordable pricing despite the Fit Shuttle's delivery time is two months? Snap our fingers folks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN BANG! (We Lilly Lilly Like It!)

I LILLY LILLY LIKE IT!

Guess what, today was Ryan Bang's birthday and in the June 16, 2011 episode of Banana Split Daily Servings, Ryan Bang sings "I Lilly Lilly Like It" while the boys are dancing to the song. WE LILLY LILLY LIKE IT! Yes, "I Lilly Lilly Like It", that's going to be Ryan Bang's catchphrase.

In another "ANO NGA KAYA?", our friend Pooh imagines what if trash is money?

Gambling for trash

Pay it up with candy wrappers

Now that's garbage!

You see? One man's trash is really another man's cash, or is it? ANO NGA KAYA?

ANG TV PATROL TEXT JOKE OF THE DAY:

Sabi ni Titser: Good morning class. Our lesson for today is science!

Tinawag si Buknoy: OK Buknoy, what is science?!

Sagot si Buknoy: Ah ma'am, science is...ah...our lesson for today!

1546 said HAVEY and 7 said WALEY!

HORO-SCOOP:

Taurus - Ikaw ay magkakaroon ng bagong trabaho. Ikaw ay magiging isang teacher. Pero dahil ay may zodiac sign na toro, ikaw ay hindi magtuturo kundi mag-totoro kaya ang tawag sayo ay hindi guro kundi Goro. Iwasan ang kulay na pula dahil galit sa pula ang mga toro. 

Honda Fit Shuttle (GG7/GG8) and Fit Shuttle Hybrid (GP2)

2012 Honda Fit Shuttle

When you talk about the all new 2012 Honda Fit Shuttle, what comes on your mind aside of being an MPV spin-off to the second-generation Honda Fit/Jazz? Well, if you think about it, this is ought to be the absurdly addition to the Honda Fit/Jazz range and it serves as the replacement to the Honda Airwave that was been discontinued since Summer 2010, you might heard of it but what are the details?

The Honda Fit Shuttle is separated within two kinds such as the gasoline-fed Fit Shuttle and the hybrid-powered Fit Shuttle Hybrid. Two birds of the same feather can be a pleasant outcome but the MPV look of the Honda Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid is an unpleasant feat. At first, you will see the front view derived from the hatchback but when you look at the side and the back, that's a differently long story. It was a downright ugly multipurpose utility vehicle that only some of them would like to be accidentally rushed on one of these. Frankly speaking, I still prefer the five-door original Fit hatchback because of the right shape and the design flow of the new 2012 Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid is just seems to be 54% wrong, 46% right. It's a win-win situation but still the new Fit Shuttle doesn't look a winner to me when it comes to overall styling.





Behind that ugly exterior, the Honda Fit Shuttle remains the same Fit interior and with the added space, users can accommodate various seating arrangements but unlike the Toyota Prius Alpha that can accommodate 5 or 7 passengers, the Fit Shuttle range can seat only five. There is no third row seats included.

The gasoline version of the Fit Shuttle is equipped with the L15A (1.5L 4-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC) engine that lashes out 120PS/6,600rpm of power, 14.8kg-m/4,800rpm of torque, and it can go for about 20.0km/L (10-15 Mode) of fuel economy if the choice was the Fit Shuttle 15C/15X (2WD). The Honda Fit Shuttle Hybrid, on the other hand, is equipped with the LDA-MF6 (1.3L i-VTEC) engine with MF6 electric motor. The LDA-MF6 engine has the standard power output of 88PS/5,800rpm but with the 10kW electric motor active, the maximum power output is reached to 98PS, which is definitely not the most powerful hybrid MPV than the Toyota Prius Alpha. Anyway, the torque output for the Fit Shuttle Hybrid is 12.3kg-m/4,500rpm and the fuel economy is 30.0km/L. That is 1km/L less than the Toyota Prius Alpha but the Fit Shuttle Hybrid's starter price of 1,704,762 Japanese Yen (or estimated 1.5 million Philippine Pesos) can really be a notch against the Toyota Prius Alpha's starter price of 2,238,095 Japanese Yen (or estimated 1.6 million Philippine Pesos). Either way, they are equipped with the absurdly boring CVT transmission while the 4WD variants of the gas-fed Fit Shuttle comes with the 5-speed automatic transmission.

In partial terms of safety, the Fit Shuttle is ready with the HID headlamps, Vehicle Stability Assist, G-CON compatibility body, SRS airbag system, and some of safety features that can be a reliable vehicle on distant travels.

The Honda Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid comes with 9 exterior color variations such as Horizon Turquoise Pearl, Premium White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Milano Red, Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Deep Mocha Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Taffeta White and Green Opal Metallic (available at October 2011).

My comment:
The 2012 Honda Fit Shuttle might not be okay in terms of design but in ecology, both the Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid are okay and ready to see what tomorrow brings. I'm sure that Honda Cars Philippines will not bring either the Fit Shuttle or Fit Shuttle Hybrid because these are unfit on our today's lifestyles. Let's see how will the Fit Shuttle range survive on such dreaded conditions, even the criticisms from the valued customers saying that the design is not somewhat good to look at it.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 2

Yo! Came back after the launching of the 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star at the Nissan head office at Yokohama and after watching the latest Nissan Lafesta Highway Star starring Haruka Ikawa, adopting the new word for the new car "イケダン" or "ikedan" and yes most of the questions coming out to those car addicts who saw the latest Nissan Lafesta TV ad. In fact, I heard you, you guys said "What's the title of the song? I think it was by RIP SLYME" and I'll give you the answer, now and some others with my other set of top 5 driving musics (car commercial songs) for you to enjoy while driving or set it as a Gran Turismo 5 Personal BGM!

5) Question: Hey! I watched the latest Nissan Lafesta Highway Star commercial with Ms. Haruka Ikawa! Can anyone explain what was the title of the song played on that commercial? I think it was sung by RIP SLYME.

Answer: The title of the song from the latest Nissan Lafesta TV commercial is 甘い生活〜La dolce vita〜 and yes, it was sung by RIP SLYME. In that ad, I saw SU from RIP SLYME and he's a certified "イケダン" like what CM character Haruka Ikawa said. This song is from RIP SLYME's CD titled STAR and if you are overseas, order it from CDJapan. RIP SLYME's 8th album, STAR, is distributed by Warner Music Japan.

4) Question: I'm from South Korea and I love the Hyundai Accent "Guy's License" commercial! Anyone know what was the title of the song? I think this music sounds familiar...

Answer: Good question. The song played on the Hyundai Accent "Guy's License" TV commercial from South Korea is titled "Cold Rock the Mic" by Apollo 440. One music album has that song you are looking for since you are a big fan to the Hyundai Accent RB. The album "Gran Turismo 2: Music at the Speed of Sound - The Album" has the song you are looking for. Find it since you are a big fan of the latest generation Accent.

3) Question: I'm from Philippines, does anyone remember the Petron Diesel Max advertisement? If whoever remembered it, can you please tell me the title of the song? I think the lyrics goes like this "beep beep beep beep" and "sakay na kayo, kahit hanggang kanto, ang buhay ng tsuper ay di gawang biro".

Answer: Yes, I do remember the Petron Diesel Max TV advertisement and I know what's that song, it's titled Beep Beep! That song can be found at the album "Pinoy Ako" and it was sung by Michael Cruz.

2) Question: I'm from Japan and I do remember the Lexus GS450h TV commercial back in 2006. The music used in the commercial sounds beautiful. Can anyone ask me what was that song?

Answer: The song played on the Lexus GS 450h TV commercial from Japan is titled Benedictus and it was sung by the highly talented Hayley Westenra. Find this beautiful song on the album titled Pure.

1) Question: I love the Nissan Elgrand E52 commercial from Japan since last year. I love this luxury minivan even more! Please tell me what was the title of the song played on the 2010 Nissan Elgrand CM! I think it was from Van Halen...

Answer: What you heard was the "LIVE VERSION" of Van Halen's Ain't Talkin' Bout Love. Trust me, I love that song and especially the all new, third-generation Nissan Elgrand. The album titled Live: Right Here, Right Now has the live version of that song since most of the Van Halen songs are live. Find one copy and buy it!

And that's it for more. I'll be back when you want more. See ya!

Imported from Dubai...?

We Filipinos are valued customers of grey market imports because they offer fully-equipped cars rather than in local dealerships. As the government keeps a watchful eye against grey market imports because of the smuggling issues, we are still big fans of it. Most of the grey market import cars we commonly see at Subic, Cebu, Port Irene, Manila and other parts of the Philippines are from U.S., Europe, Korea, and Japan.

However, there is only one thing I am not utterly familiar of. Are you familiar about a "Dubai Version" vehicle? Yes, I kept commonly see on the classified ads and I still don't know what's a Dubai Version car and how did a Dubai Version car became a trending topic to the grey market imports?

How the heck did we get these "Dubai version" cars? Does a country like Dubai make these? Nope, Dubai doesn't make cars and they import it from countries like Europe, America and Japan like for instance, Toyota Sequoia, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Expedition, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Mitsubishi Pajero, and other large SUVs that once we get it, we labeled them as "DUBAI VERSION".

The mystery behind a grey market "DUBAI VERSION" car remained unsolved and how the heck did a country like the Philippines snagged those luxury SUVs imported from Dubai. Why Dubai? How did we get those ultra premium rides straight from the Arab country like Dubai?

Hmmm, like what Pooh said, ANO NGA KAYA? What should we know about a Dubai Version luxury car? First off, the speedometers are in the kmh unit, not in a mph unit because it was set in metric/imperial units instead of English units. Another thing to spot a Dubai version SUV is the full options that a local car dealer would not have, especially the part where a DVD player is installed. Whoever bought those Dubai Version rides were especially politicians and celebrities. 

Do you remember the news about Gerald Anderson caught owning a smuggled, unregistered Hummer? No wait, he has a Hummer but his driver was caught. Yes, he owns that smuggled Hummer caught by the cops but what version is that smuggled Hummer? Is that smuggled from North America? No, that's from Dubai. It seems the government is keeping a watchful eye against smuggled vehicles because of the unpaid taxes. Heh, didn't realize that Gerald Anderson was a victim of those.

Something's fishy about the Dubai Version cars. How did we get those. A Ford Expedition imported from Dubai instead from America? A Toyota Land Cruiser imported from Dubai instead of being a converted unit from Japan? That feels wrong and I am not a huge fan of grey market imports from Dubai. I prefer gray market imports from America, Europe, Japan and Korea because these were made of and I hope that's a lesson served to all of you.

Can a country like the Philippines import some vehicle straight from Dubai even though it was not made in Dubai? For me, it's a wrong way because Dubai doesn't have manufacturing plants but sourced it from other countries.

It's Alphabert vs. Letterman once again!

Letterman turns PUTO into PUTOK!

Alphabert turns TAWA into TAWAS!

It's another round between Alphabert versus Letterman once again on the June 15, 2011 episode of Banana Split. When a guy named Manuel bought puto, he encountered Letterman. Letterman snagged Manuel's puto and turned it into PUTOK. Manuel got bad odor that caused humiliation. Alpha Bert to the rescue and fights back using the laughter of people due to Manuel's PUTOK. He turned TAWA into TAWAS. Alphabert passed the TAWAS to Manuel. Alphabert wins, Letterman loses by an angry mob.

ANG TV PATROL TEXT JOKE OF THE DAY:

Sigaw si Misis: Manganganak na ako! Manganganak na ako! Dalhin mo na ako sa delivery room!

Sagot si Mister: Ganun ba?! Tara, dadalhin kita sa McJolly!

Tanong si Misis: Ba't sa McJolly?

Sagot si Mister: Dun kasi may free delivery!

256 viewers said HAVEY while 5 said WALEY!

HORO-SCOOP:

Aries - Mag-ingat para hindi madisgrasya... Dahil madidisgrasya ka kapag hindi ka nag-ingat. Lucky number mo ay kung ano ang lalabas na number bukas sa sakto ng Happy Yippee Yehey!

Horo-scoop with Zenaida Sebo

All New Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN)

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The arc Nissan fans been waiting for has arrived! The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star provides a perfect blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology, fused into one unique package. The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is sourced from the Mazda's Hiroshima Plant and in fact, the new Lafesta Highway Star is essentially an OEM version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 (CWEFW).

When Nissan asked Mazda for their own version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy, there is only one condition before this Nissan version of the third-generation Premacy became a reality; discard the Nagare design.

It's good to say that the all new 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good without Mazda's Nagare design flowed from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 because the Nagare design will ruined its Highway Star status. How did the Highway Star trim became a sub-name for the new Lafesta? It's simple, the Highway Star variants in most Nissan minivans such as the Elgrand E52, Serena C26, and the Nissan version of the Suzuki Palette/Palette SW known as the Roox are highly successful and the reason to create a spin-off model is to provide a blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology for the customers. What we're worrying now is Nissan halted production of the old Lafesta and the remaining will be sold under a new name "LAFESTA JOY" to differentiate it to the Mazda Premacy-sourced spin-off.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star interior

Open those two sliding doors with the use of the remote and you are ready to explore its 6+1 seater capacity. The middle seat at the 2nd row can be adjusted to make it as an armrest of as an access to the 3rd row seats. The new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is born to be a multipurpose passenger vehicle and we salivated over it if we want to find one as a converted grey market import. Hey, does this Nissan version of the Mazda Premacy would come to Hong Kong soon? Not sure but be patient.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is available in three engine types. First is the LF-VE (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT) engine, second is the LF-VD (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine, and third is the LF-VDS (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine with the Idle Stop & Go feature. The LF-VE engine has 139PS/6,500rpm of power output, 17.9kg-m/4,000rpm of torque output, and fuel economy of 11.2km/L (10-15 mode). This LF-VE engine is exclusive to the 4WD variants. Meanwhile, the LF-VD Gasoline Direct Injection engine contributes a power output of 150PS/6,200rpm, 19.0kg-m/4,500rpm of torque output and 15.0km/L (10-15 mode) of fuel economy. Available at the Lafesta Highway Star J Package. The LF-VDS engine has the same specs as the LF-VD engine but it is equipped with the idling stop function, making it the sixth member of the Nissan Pure Drive range. This function can shut off this engine when stationery like for instance, stopping at the red light. With this feature, fuel economy is 16.0km/L (10-15 Mode) so this makes it a class-topping minivan because of its superb ecology.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star comes with five exterior colors such as Crystal White Pearl, Aluminum Silver Metallic, Metropolitan Grey Pearl, Sparkling Black Pearl, and Copper Red Pearl.

My Comment:

Perhaps this is a spin-off, I can't call it a new generation but with the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, you can experience a new blend of family carrier on the go. Without Mazda's Nagare design, this is something we can fall in love at. It's odd that the front view has the grille of the Nissan Serena C26 while the whole body was derived from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. This minivan felt like it was taking a face off against its rivals face-to-face. I'm sure we can pray to have one as a converted gray market import from Subic, Manila, Port Irene, or wherever the heck Japan surplus cars are sold. The all new Lafesta Highway Star looks good without the plain-looking Nagare lines. Sounds cheesy but flattering.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

2012MY Subaru Legacy range receives some small upgrades

2012 Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon

2012 Subaru Legacy B4

In July 14, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries released the 2012 Subaru Legacy models (the Touring Wagon, B4 sedan, and Outback SUV) packed with some small upgrades. What's new for the 2012 Model Year? Let's see, the side mirrors changed, improved suspension, new Ice Silver Metallic color added, updated Eyesight safety systems, and something else to keep them updated for the 2012 model year.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/0/148455/

2012 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5i S Package Limited

That's not all, the 2012 Subaru Legacy Outback received a sporty special edition under the trim name "2.5i Eyesight S Package Limited" and "2.5i S Package Limited" and this SUV version of the Legacy ditches its two-tone coloring and it wears some sporty rims to make it more advanced, stylish, sleek, and sporty.

Check more: http://www.subaru.jp/legacy/25ispackagelimited/