Special-edition Ractis comes with Smart Stop

2012 Toyota Ractis 1.3G Smart Stop Selection

A special-edition Toyota Ractis (known in Europe as the Verso-S and in Hong Kong as the Ractis Verso) 1.3G/1.3X Smart Stop Selection comes equipped with the innovative Toyota Smart Stop technology that allows the 1NR-FE engine to shut off automatically when stopped at the red light, giving the maximum fuel economy of 21.5km/L according to Japan's 10-15 Mode Test Cycle.

Interesting about this feature and this is a very beneficial variant for those who are looking for fuel efficient compacts in Japan today!

Scoop: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/jp/news/11/10/nt11_045.html

The best of MP4-12C at the Nurburgring

McLaren's MP4-12C does had a name that sounds like a fax machine but this is one heck of a superb exotic that Top Gear said that it wasn't engineered at the Nurburgring. To those guys at McLaren, they are trying to prove Top Gear's point wrong by proving that the McLaren MP4-12C is engineered for the Nurburgring.

With all of its might, the McLaren MP4-12C clocked the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 28 seconds, eclipsing the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0.

The 21st Century Beetle from Volkswagen

It became an iconic phenomenon since its first made in the 1930's and it garnered tons of nicknames such as Kafer, Fusca, Bug, Buba, Kabuto-mushi, or Pendong, This car made it as part of pop culture as Herbie or the original Bumblebee from the old Transformers cartoons. It even spawned its own version for the younger generation in 1997 as the New Beetle. Now, the arrival of the 21st Century Beetle truly shocked the world that the bug is back to stand out the crowd. This "new" generation Volkswagen Beetle is no longer your grandparents' Beetle of yesteryears and now, this new bug's ready to go to work.

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle

The exterior design of the 21st Century Beetle looks scrumptious, juicy, tender, crispy, and more like a Porsche 911 Carrera. Once you look at the outside of the 21st Century Beetle's exterior, you can't resist its temptation of its cool beauty. That cool beauty comes from its cue design that is somewhat inspired from the 2005 Volkswagen Ragster Concept car and it uses the PQ35 platform lifted from the Volkswagen Jetta. With this platform, the 21st Century Beetle is now longer than the previous "New Beetle" because of the 4,278mm length.

2012 Volkswagen The Beetle interior

The previous New Beetle's interior looks somewhat rubbish and I don't like the way how I feel inside. It's like watching daytime television or letting kids watching cartoons on Saturday evenings. Now, on the 21st Century Beetle's interior, it looks more like its ready for some Saturday Night Live! It packs pace, shows character, and above all else, it looks luxurious. The best part about the 21st Century Beetle's interior is the new Fender Sound System. You probably familiar about Fender as the brands behind the mega popular Jazz Bass and Mustang. Yes, you should be familiar that these guitars are popularized on the anime K-ON! About the Fender Sound System, it produces clear sound quality and it was so clear, we recommend listening to character songs of K-ON's Mio Akiyama and Azusa Nakano while driving the 21st Century Beetle at the Shutokou, Autobahn, or Route 66. I mean hey, this is the best time to sing "Don't Say Lazy" while taking a road trip with the 21st Century Beetle!

The 1.2L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 105PS/5,000rpm of power output and 175Nm/1,550rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 10.9 seconds and achieving the top speed of 180kph. Meanwhile, the 2.0L TSi engine equipped on The Beetle produces 200PS/5,100rpm of power output and 280Nm/1,700rpm of torque output. This helps the car reach 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds and achieving the top speed of 223kph. On The Beetle 1.2L TSi variant, it is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission but on The Beetle 2.0L TSi variant, it is mated with the 6-speed DSG transmission packed with Manual Mode. These engines were only the beginning because the 1.4L TSI, 1.6L TDi, and a 2.0L TDi engines will follow shortly.

The Beetle offers host of driving aids that help the driver navigate correctly and safely such as Bi-Xenon headlights, Electronic Stability Program, and ParkPilot for effective reverse parking.

Depending on the variant; Beetle, Design, and Sport, The 21st Century Beetle comes in 11 color variations such as Candy-Weiß, Denim Blue, Saturn Yellow, Schwarz, Tornadorot, Moon Rock Silver Metallic, Platinum Grey Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Reflexsilber Metallic, Toffeebraun Metallic, and Deep Black Perleffekt.

My comment:

No longer the old Beetle from your grandparents' ages, the 21st Century Beetle is now made to be more retro-futuristic because of its seductive looks, refined interior, Fender Sound System that yells "Don't Say Lazy" while driving, list of engines, and the sizing that made it obvious to have one if you had it with the previous model.

I'm impressed that this new model always stick to its global market availability we're hoping that the 21st Century Beetle will hit the Philippines soon and thanks to Ayala Group gearing up for Volkswagen's return to the Philippines, we might have a chance but let's be patient...

Photo: Volkswagen

Takeri

2011 Mazda Takeri Concept

To be on display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the year, the Mazda Takeri concept follows the tradition of the new Kodo -Soul of Motion- design philosophy that was applied on the Mazda Shinari Concept last year. Needless to say that this concept sedan looks as good as the Shinari and the SKYACTIV technology fits well to provide three steps; idling stop, regenerative braking, and electric drive technology that we get from hybrids.

Further reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/mazda/2011-takeri_concept/

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

Ok, now for numbers 11 to 20 in the list of my 100 favorite Chevrolet cars of all kinds in tribute to the brand's 100th anniversary. Let's start!

11) Chevrolet Corvette C6.R - This C6 Corvette is a heavy contender at the Le Mans. There is a much fun fact that it gained a class victory at the 2011 24 Hours of Nurburgring in GTE-Am class.

Chevrolet Corvette C6-R

12) Jeff Gordon #24 Impala - A #24 Impala Stock Car driven by one of the most famous NASCAR racers in history, Jeff Gordon. This 2010 version is particularly the most memorable Impala Stock Car I have ever saw because I tried it on Gran Turismo 5. I guess I have to owe Mr. Jeff Gordon a big thanks.

2010 Jeff Gordon #24 Impala

13) Chevrolet Cruze WTCC Touring Car - The Chevrolet Cruze has been proven to be quite successful as a WTCC touring car. It was so successful, they even won the Manufacturer's World Title twice!

Chevrolet Cruze Touring Car

14) Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car '63 - The Chevrolet Corvette C6.R may be a great racer but the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car from the 1960's is highly memorable.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C3) Race Car

15) FLM09 - Okay, we all know that this Le Mans Prototype is not a Chevy but why we call this Le Mans Prototype a Chevy? Good point because when I played Forza Motorsport 4, I notice these three FLM09 racecars at the Chevrolet showroom. I questioned myself that what the heck are those and then I said that these FLM09 racecars are equipped with V8 engines sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette and these FLM09 racecars are built for the American Le Mans Series. The most memorable was the Chevrolet #55 Level 5 Motorsports Oreca FLM09 because last year, this FLM09 prototype won its first ALMS championships (team, driver, and rookie).

FLM09

16) Chevrolet Lacetti WTCC - before the Cruze, there was its predecessor, the Lacetti or Optra, which was sourced from South Korea as the GM Daewoo Lacetti right before its full model change in 2008 as the Lacetti Premiere. When I looked upon this Chevrolet Optra/Lacetti Touring Car, this racer goes like nothing what I have expect for the city-class compact sedan.

Chevrolet Lacetti Touring Car

17) 2010 Juan Montoya #42 Impala - Juan Pablo Montoya is one of the best Formula One racers in history aside from the legendary Michael Schumacher. However, in 2006, this former Formula One racer takes on NASCAR. It might seem to be a regal shocker but with Juan Pablo Montoya's participation in NASCAR, his skills are getting better and better. In 2009, he steps inside the Impala Stock Car and he is part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup for the first time of his life but on that season, he placed 8th but that's okay because he established his position as one of the best NASCAR racers in history.

2010 Juan Montoya #42 Impala

18) 2010 Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Impala - Like father, like son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tries to succeed as his father, Dale Earnhardt, who holds the record of 7 NASCAR championships right before he died in a 2001 Daytona 500 accident. When his father died, Dale Earnhardt Jr. steps into the limelight and his popularity rose not just in NASCAR but into other sports and entertainment as well. He fought alongside with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008, which in fact the champion of Chevrolet works teams, and he gained his first win after a 76 race blank. However, his skills is not as impressive as his father but he gained a podium finish in 2010. His Impala Stock Car with National Guard sponsorship really hits the spot but why sponsoring with a military organization? Beats me...

2010 Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Impala

19) Chevrolet Corvette C5.R - The fifth generation Corvette is somewhat memorable and this race-spec version was a big fighter in the motorsports world right before it was succeeded by the Corvette C6.R.

Chevrolet Corvette C5-R

20) 2010 Jimmie Johnson #48 Impala - I never thought that a NASCAR racer like Jimmie Johnson learned the tips and tricks from Jeff Gordon, who apparently the team owner of Jimmie Johnson's #48 Impala Stock Car. It seems that these two know each other very well. Jimmie Johnson won 47 races since his debut in 2002 and he became a 4-year Sprint Cup champion since 2006. This number 48 Impala Stock Car grabbed the attention and mostly the LOWE'S sponsorship on the side and back, which makes it an obvious fact that he teams up with some kind of a hardware store like LOWE'S. I think that this is one of the most majestic Impala Stock Cars in NASCAR history, especially Jimmie Johnson himself, who became the "it" racer in NASCAR history.

2010 Jimmie Johnson #48 Impala

...to be continued in Part Three of my list...

MY OH MY! IDOLM@STER itashas of Toyota's Prius α (Alpha) and Vitz!

2012 Toyota Prius Alpha with IDOLM@STER itasha
(credit: DENGEKI ONLINE)

2012 Toyota Vitz 1.3F Smart Stop Package itasha edition
with IDOLM@STER's Makoto Kikuchi
(credit: DENGEKI ONLINE)

Auto Salon AMLUX Tokyo, the biggest shopping mall for all things Toyota, had showcased two IDOLM@STER itasha versions of the Toyota Prius α (Alpha) MPV and the third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris hatchback from October 22 to November 30, 2011.

For the IDOLM@STER itasha Prius Alpha, all the 765PRO girls are featured, but on the IDOLMASTER itasha Vitz, it only feautred Makoto Kikuchi, which is nice. These IDOLM@STER itasha versions of both the Prius Alpha and the Vitz really has hopes to reach the demographics between otakus and car enthusiasts alike.

Because the launch date of the Playstation3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 draws near, this title will stop at nothing to capture the biggest slice of it. We like these itashas...

Scoop: http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/419/419111/

Audi Q5 Hybrid

2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid interior

Audi's first hybrid crossover, the Q5 Hybrid, is a bonafide eco car that competes against the Lexus RX Hybrid and because this hybrid crossover has progressed, it has made to look better, feel better, and perform better than its Japanese rival. Why? The Audi Q5 Hybrid combines performance and economy because of the turbocharged 2.0L engine, the 8-speed tiptronic transmission, and the capability to go from 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds with the top speed of 225kph, unlike the Lexus RX Hybrid, which has a very redundant CVT, 3.5L V6 non-turbo engine, and the will to go from 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds with the top speed of 200kph. Benefited from its turbo engine equipped on the hybrid layout, the Audi Q5 Hybrid really is a progressed hybrid that takes on hybrid conventions that others found out to be dull, boring, and rubbish.

One of the subject, however, is the ecology. If the Lexus RX Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 15.9km/L (6.3L/100km), the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 14.5km/L (6.9L/100km), meaning that this Ingolstadt-based hybrid has a 1.4km/L gap behind the Fukuoka-made hybrid crossover. Also, the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a CO2 emissions of 159g/km, which is somewhat has a decent gap over the Lexus RX Hybrid's CO2 emissions of 145g/km. Even when both of them are Euro 5 compliant, these two have something good at these categories.

Okay, enough comparing with the Audi Q5 Hybrid against the Lexus RX Hybrid. This sounds a little bit complicating for the car enthusiasts who are looking for luxury hybrid crossovers. Let's see how to distinguish the differences between the Q5 Hybrid and the original Q5 in terms of exterior and interior. You might be easy enough to distinguish the Q5 Hybrid thanks to the "hybrid" badges on the side view and rear view, single-frame grille painted in high-gloss black, 19-inch wheels, and chrome exhaust pipes. On the interior, there is a different instrumental panel that says "charge", "efficiency", and "power" at the left side of the tachometer. With such differences, you are sure enough to know that this is the Q5 Hybrid.

Now for the color variation. The Audi Q5 Hybrid is available in 14 exterior colors such as Amethystgrau Metallic, Arktissilber Metallic, Cuvéesilber Metallic, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Monzasilber Metallic, Quarzgrau Metallic, Teakbraun Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Granatrot Perleffekt, Lavagrau Perleffekt, and Phantomschwarz Perleffekt.

My comment:

It's so nice to see a turbocharged hybrid crossover like the Audi Q5 Hybrid because its philosophy is to combine ecology and performance on this hybrid crossover that performs well than the Lexus RX Hybrid but performance is what the Q5 Hybrid's good at because the Lexus RX Hybrid does quite well at the ecology side.

Photo: AUDI A.G.