Sunday, October 23, 2011

New i30's Never-Ending Ideas



The new, second-generation (not-for-Philippines), Hyundai i30, really has never-ending ideas. With Hyundai released the latest commercials for the second generation i30, we are getting zealous about its never-ending ideas such as the new Flex Steer, hidden back camera, and EPB (Electronic Parking Brake),

With such never-ending ideas, we have no choice but to plea at HARI to bring the new i30 here but that would be impossible because of its engines.

Forza 4 meets the new BMW M5 F10

Rite of Passage


The arrival of the new BMW M5 F10 exclusively on Forza Motorsport 4 sparked the hype from Forza fans, saying that how in the world can they find this new model and indeed, Turn 10 was so generous that the all new BMW M5 F10 is available at the in-game marketplace with no additional charge, or in short, FREE! It's yours to keep, race, and explore in Autovista mode.

The BMW M5 F10's interior

When I tried the all new BMW F10 M5, it has the same experience I tried on the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and the Jaguar XFR. It acts like those, feels like those, and the results are very decent for this new model. Those who already downloaded it at the marketplace for free are would wish to get the all new BMW M5 F10 for 90,000 CR. It's powered with the new 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces 552HP of power and 501 lb-ft of torque. It weights 4,123LBS and it has a front weight ratio of 52%.

Shooting for the next Top Gear season...

At the hands of the owner, he or she can mix and match the all new BMW M5 F10 just the way they like it with its tuning setups and wide array of decorations to make several versions of the BMW M5 F10. Let's just say, they will create a modernized Ring Taxi version of the M5 or slap some hand-made license plates at the back to make it more classy.

Our friends from Studie AG previews
their BMW M5 F10 tuning project!

With driving aids off, the BMW M5 F10 is one heck of a scary ride because of its FR layout and if you're not careful, you blew your opportunity to drive it. What I like about this car is its aerodynamics, design, interior view, and the new engine which performs better than the V10 engine from the previous M5. What I don't like about this car is its weight. Driving the new M5 is a challenge but if you invest more in practice, you'll get used to this new and improved model. You no longer feel like a dull businessman anymore.

My favorite Chevys - 100 years from now (Part One)

So, Chevrolet's 100th birthday is almost near. Time for me to be more "sentimental" as I'll be bringing a special blog to come up my "Chevrolet Memories". I'll be listing the best 100 Chevrolet cars from the past, present, future, local, foreign, normal, racing, concept, doesn't matter. Let's begin!

1) Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6) - Why I love about this Corvette is its supercharged V8 engine that has more power than the Audi R8 V10, according to a Top Gear episode. The ZR1 is probably the best Corvette ever made because of its performance and with for the 2012 Model Year, it ousted the 2011MY Nissan GT-R at the Nurburgring.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

2) Fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro - Returned in 2009 as a 2010 model year and it was popularized after being featured in three Transformers movies as Autobot Bumblebee, this Camaro is gaining huge popularity and this model is turning into a geek car because this is Bumblebee after all.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

3) Chevrolet Stingray Concept - This concept car hints the next Corvette. Pretty cool about the Stingray name though.

Chevrolet Stingray Concept

4) Chevrolet Chevelle '69 - Undeniably the most memorable Chevrolet muscle car. We even saw those rides from several Dirty Harry movies such as The Enforcer and Magnum Force.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

5) Second-generation Chevrolet Camaro - built from 1970 to 1981, the second-generation Camaro is far out memorable in the age of baggy pants, Woodstock, disco, and everything groovy, in short, the 70's. It featured incidentally on the first Transformers movie as Bumblebee right until it became a 2007 Camaro Concept after Sam scolded this as a piece of junk. Either way, this Camaro from the 70's was an instant classic.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro

6) Chevrolet Miray Concept - This cool concept car was designed from our friends at South Korea, which in fact, the latest country to sell Chevrolet cars after bidding farewell to the poorly recognized Daewoo brand. Miray is coined from the Korean word "Mi Rae", which means "future", making this concept roadster a new beginning for another 100 years.

Chevrolet Miray Concept

7) Chevrolet Corvette C1 - The first-generation Corvette is the most memorable Chevrolet in the eyes of enthusiasts when it was built in 1953.  This classic is considered a collector's item and this rare purity really makes it up to those who owned it. Imagine that this is your parents' ride back in their young adult years.

1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1

8) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (2012) - It doesn't come before the early 2012 but the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the Corvette ZR1's little brother. The ZL1 naming was derived from the 1969 original, which in fact, the most powerful Camaro ever built. It targets the Ford Mustang Boss 302 as its formidable rival.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

9) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro - This old Camaro is "The Best Chevy Of All Time" thanks to some popularity poll held by Chevrolet. It was said that the 1969 Camaro is one of the best examples of timeless design in the industry.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

10) Fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro - Apparently this was also a memorable Chevrolet when it was made in 1993 until the Camaro nameplate got chopped in 2002, seven years before the Camaro returned in 2009 as a 2010 model year. A special 35th Anniversary Edition, launched in the 2002 model year, is highly memorable on this generation not only because of its special red color with white stripes but also its legendary Camaro heritage.

2001 Chevrolet Camaro

..to be continued in Part Two of this list...

BANANA SPLIT CLOWN IN A MILLION UPDATE 10/22/11

Those 15 contestants; BABA-LOW, Super Tekla, James Caraan, Michael Kalaw, Tresha Riego, Onse, Jodie, Ryan Remz Sarita, Chad Dela Cruz, Mimi Aringo, Karen Dematera, GB Labrador, Ichat, Leo Priscilla, and Jandyll Aurea, really really taking their time on Banana Split's Clown In A Million. Right now, on the 10/22/11 episode, The Laugh 10 is announced! Meet your Laugh 10!

1) Karen Dematera
2) Super Tekla
3) Mimi Aringo
4) Jodie
5) Leo Priscilla
6) James Caraan
7) Ichat
8) Jandyll Aurea
9) Michael Kalaw
10) Onse

The first task for the Laugh 10 is to make their own commercials at the stage. When it comes to liquor, soap, suka, medicine, energy drink, cellphone, detergent bar, soft drink, pancit canton, and toothpaste, they got them all for you for fun and fo real...almost real.

The result (after series of OPM Icons music playlist), Super Tekla tops the spot, earning him an immunity that prevents him from voted out by the judges. Sadly, Michael Kalaw was eliminated from the competition. Sorry, Michael and thanks for joining.

Who will be next to be kicked out? Tune in to Banana Split Extra Scoop for more Clown in a Million!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

What we learned on the 10/22/11 episode of Sabadabadog

Let's see what we saw on the October 22, 2011 episode of Sabadabadog?

- Let's count with Sabadabadog and Ate Michelle! We're counting "saging na saba"!

- Field trip with Don Kahon and Arkin! Visiting Chef Boy and learn how to cook the coolest meals made by Chef Boy!

- Let's move with Bebe Garu! Can you move like a lion?

- We learn the letter C

- Kuya Tonipet told us a story called "Mga Bagong Hayop sa Zoo"

- Mei-mei showcases the number 7

- Lesson: Everyone's language and culture are different as ours. Feel free to ask what that means and we can understand what they are saying!

Meet the winners of the 2011-2012 Auto Focus People's Choice Award

Meet the thirteen winners of the 2011-2012 Auto Focus People's Choice Award!

1) Kia Morning/Picanto

Kia Monring


2) Nissan Sentra

Nissan Sentra

3) Nissan Teana/Maxima

Nissan Teana

4) Hyundai Genesis/Rohens

Hyundai Genesis

5) Hyundai Genesis Coupe/Rohens Coupe

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

6) Isuzu Crosswind/Panther

Isuzu Crosswind

7) Nissan Frontier Navarra

Nissan Navarra

8) Nissan Grand Livina

Nissan Grand Livina

9) Hyundai Grand Starex/H-1

Hyundai Grand Starex

10) Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail

11) Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano

12) Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne

13) Kia Soul

Kia Soul

Congratulations on these 13 cars for winning the 2011-2012 Auto Focus People's Choice Award! It seems that based on majority, Nissan has the most wins on this award. Just these six Nissan models sold in the Philippines; the Sentra, Teana, Frontier Navarra, Grand Livina, X-Trail, and Murano, really take their time for winning those awards. It has been an honor for them.

This is how you Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic


With the initiation of the Let's Do This campaign to celebrate the launch of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, this compact hatchback pulled a skydiving stunt that is nearly impossible for a car brand to do that. Seems that the small Chevrolet Sonic can do that, just.



The cool part is seen on the official Chevy Sonic Facebook page and yes, we are getting eager to have one.

BUBBLE GANG 4x4 - THE 16th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL! Part Two

TATATATA TATA TATATATA TATATA TATATATA TATATA TATA TA TA TA! Oh wait! Hi! October 21, 2011 marks the second part of BUBBLE GANG 4X4 THE ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL! My oh my! Let's see what just happened on the second part of Bubble Gang 4X4 Special!

- More anniversary-related gags

- The couple dreams about their child's dreams in the Pangarap na Anak sketch

- Kuya Botchie's here on how to impossibly count 16 with 10 fingers.

- EXCLUSIVE! D Wonder Boys are back in their new music video titled YOU & ME, ME & YOU!

D Wonder Boys

- Bubble Gang Classic: Bubble Gang does Neozep back in late 2006 or early 2007 but whatever. This is Bubble Gang commercial spoof of Neozep's Neoserye Part IV

Bubble Gang does Neozep

- The memorable Sozimo Bakya (Ogie Alcasid) is here...

Sozimo Bakya

...to showcase some of the most memorable Bubble Gang events such as...

...Lito's Night of Music...

Lito's Night of Music

...and Iskulto Finish...

Iskulto Finish

- RAISE THE ROOF? RAISE THE ROOF! ALIEN! Let's reunite with Brod Pete and the gang on a memorable Bubble Gang classic, Ang Dating Doon, where they answer your questions about...almost everything. 

First question is from Sam Pinto: May nasusulat po tungkol kay Diego?

* Brod Pete and the gang says there was something that come from a song from Aegis. It's like "Humanap ka ng pangit" or "Ayoko nang mangarap"

Ang Dating Doon

- Michael V. asks Ang Dating Doon: May nasusulat ba tungkol sa drug mule?
* Ang Dating Doon said it was from a Pinoy nursery rhyme. Saan ka pupunta? Sa Amerika. Anong dala mo? Maleta. Anong lamang yan? Gitara.

- A young man meets up with the witch for some gayuma...

- IyoTube in Love the Way You Lie by Eminem and Rihanna

- Boy Pick Up asks ANG DATING DOON: May nasusulat ba tungkol sa illegal na trabaho?
* Ang Dating Doon said it was from the book of Araneta and something related to derby. Derby no sunshine. Jingle bell, jingle bell, pake ni Sabel. Sa pula, sa puti, tanggal ang mani.

- Some guy at a mental correction remembers back the best of Bubble Gang such as Muchas Grasas, Karton Karakters, MariLawin, Bakokang, Jowa in the Palace, Gagambala, Super Masa, Madame Rocha, and T Defect (Sino ang Dapat Sisihin).

That's all for this two-part special! Hope we enjoyed 16 years of Bubble Gang madness and this is surely be a new beginning of another 16 years!

Friday, October 21, 2011

4J10 - the new-generation MIVEC engine

4J10 engine


Applicable on the 2012 Mitsubishi RVR and the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant Fortis lineup is the new generation 1.8L MIVEC engine coded as 4J10. So, what's up with the new 4J10 engine made by Mitsubishi?

For a kick-off, the new 4J10 engine is a new 16-valve SOHC 4-cylinder engine that produces 139PS/6000rpm of power, and 17.5kgf-m/4200rpm of torque. This helps the car to attain the maximum fuel economy of 17.0km/L based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle. New to the 4J10 engine is the new AS&G (Auto Stop & GO) feature, a first from Mitsubishi Motors. The new Auto Stop & Go feature is an idling stop system which helps the 4J10 engine to shut off automatically when the car's stop at the red light. This provides optimized fuel economy and lower carbon footprints.

This new engine will be deployed globally and soon, I hope the Philippines will get this new engine also.

On November 30...

2012 Subaru Impreza teaser


On November 30, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries will launch the all new 2012 Subaru Impreza in Japan.

Using the "New Value Class" concept that best describes the new model, the 2012 Subaru Impreza will feature two versions at first. The hatchback version will be called Impreza Sport while the sedan version will be called Impreza G4. The Impreza Sport provides sportiness as a hatchback while the Impreza G4 is a Genuine 4-door.

I repeat, the new 2012 Impreza series will arrive this November 30, 2011. Stay tuned for more...

Second-generation Hyundai i30

European flair and Korean reliability is what Hyundai's best at when it comes to create better looking cars with the finest features. For the Hyundai i30's full model change, this will make European engineers envy over this hatchback It made them so envy, even the Volkswagen Group CEO got jealous over the new i30's silence.


2012 Hyundai i30


The all-new Hyundai i30 is the second addition of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab (PYL). In case that most don't know what PYL is, this is the new sub-brand targeted for the young Korean adults in their 20's. This brand was launched since the Hyundai Veloster debuted in March 10, 2011 and BLU Premium Youth Lab members provide special perks and privileges. It uses the "Aero Active" concept as its basis on its design and with its "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy, the all new i30 is made to be highly attractive and some say that it was inspired from the Veloster. We might even think that we are going to nickname this the Veloster with 5-doors, you know what I mean. Although the front view its impressive, the back view is somewhat a little bit rubbish, it's like when the designers faced the common sentence "Finish or not finish, pass your papers", get it?


2012 Hyundai i30 interior


A lot of people commenting about the new interior because the new i30's big space got the attention of the Volkswagen Group CEO and he got so jealous that why European car makers didn't do the same thing as Hyundai because of its European flair and Korean reliability but whatever. The new i30 features loads of interior features such as a 7-inch intelligent navigation system, large TFT Supervision Cluster, dual-zone climate control, and panoramic sunroof. Customers can be benefited with the new i30's interior because this has more space than the previous model and the rear seats can be folded to create three seating arrangements suitable for luggage purposes, perfect for the adventurous drivers who wanted to take some time off.

Two engines are available on the new i30 such as the Gamma 1.6L GDI engine and the U2 1.6L VGT engine. First, the GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) 1.6L engine produces 140PS/6300rpm of power and 17kg-m/4850rpm of torque. This helps the car accumulate a maximum fuel economy of 16.3km/L but with the Hyundai i30 1.6 GDi BlueSaver grade, this reaches a fuel economy of 17.3km/L thanks to its innovative idling stop function which helps the Gamma 1.6L GDI engine to shut off automatically when stopped. The U2 1.6L CRDi-VGT engine produces 128HP/4000rpm of power and 26.5kg-m/2750rpm of torque. This helps the engine to accumulate 23km/L of fuel economy, if the 6-speed manual is equipped. GDi variants are equipped with a standard 6-speed automatic transmission but CRDi-VGT variants of the new i30 come with either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.

The new i30 comes with the new Flex Steer system that allows the driver to choose from three driving modes; Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The Comfort mode provides easy driving on normal roads, Normal mode for balance, and Sport mode to provide quicker handling on the corners of the earth. From the corners of Monaco, straight Belgian roads, Canadian forests, and the twists and turns of Switzerland, we are sure that hardcore drivers may want to switch the i30's Flex Steer on Sport Mode with a hint of exclamation mark. The new i30 also has SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System) that allows the car to park all by itself hands-free and we won't regret it about its safety feature.

The new Hyundai i30 comes with nine color variations such as Creamy White, Sleek Silver, Hyper Silver, Pink Shell, Hazel Brown, Tropic Red, Santorini Blue, Black Bean, and Phantom Black.

My comment:
With its catchphrase "never-ending ideas", the new Hyundai i30 provides never ending ideas for the driver to come up on the road because of its design, space, technology, and performance, something that the Germans failed to have, even the Japanese. The new i30 is the second member of the new Hyundai Premium Youth Lab brand and it provides three key goals; Shift the Grade, Show your Identity, and Save your Money, referring to its performance, design, and ecology.

Unfortunately though, it is not yet confirmed to bring it to the Philippines because of the previous model's slow sales. Also, the 1.6L GDi engine and the 1.6L CRDi-VGT engine are not strong enough on the Philippine roads. There is a 10% probability that it will come...as a gray market somewhere at either Pitstop Motors or Hancars.

The new i30 has something that European car makers never have...

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Dance with Hybrid - Forza 4 style

This hybrid's too eager to be featured
on next season's Top Gear!


Because of the theory that the ratio of "Miles Per Gallon" championed over "Horsepower Per Ton", the introduction of hybrids and electric vehicles on Forza Motorsport 4 really put a twist on this flagship racing sim. The Lexus CT200h (chassis code: ZWA10) is one of them. It maybe classified as a hybrid but this compact hybrid hatchback truly has its darker side. It sure is the "Darker Side of Green" that breaks the status quo.

Up close and personal with
the Darker Side of Green

The price for the Lexus CT200h on Forza Motorsport 4 starts at 25,000 CR and this car is powered with the 1.8L 2ZR-FXE engine sourced from the Prius that produces 134HP of power and 169lb-ft of torque. The biggest redundancy on the CT200h was its CVT because this car would be somewhat a little bit slower than I expected. Just because this car has a disappointing CVT feature does not mean you can't have something special for this hybrid hatchback.

CT200h races through the Alps

Tuning the Lexus CT200h is like putting up the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and it needs incredible tuning logic skills to push the CT200h class to its equal position. It might be easier to push this hybrid on the F200 class, E275 class, D350 class, or C425 class but pushing this on B500 to A600 is a very difficult task. Sadly though, you can't push the CT200h tuning even further to meet your demands.

Taking a day-off at Silverstone

What I like about the CT200h is its handling. In its F200 class, the CT200h has an agile handling despite the wheezing noise of its hybrid drivetrain and CVT. When I tried this on the Top Gear Test Track, it performed quite well on the Chicago, Hammerhead, and Gambon. Respectively, this is one of my favorites in real life but in Forza 4, it needs consideration whether I should accept the way the Lexus CT200h feels or not. We sure know that we are ready to "Dance with Hybrid" but sometimes, it may end up being nothing or in Top Gear terms, RUBBISH. If I were Jeremy Clarkson putting the CT200h on the Cool Wall, let's put this on COOL for a while but if this gets rubbish, I may end up putting this on UNCOOL.