Lancia Thema

2012 Lancia Thema

2012 Lancia Thema interior

Lancia's newest flagship premium sedan, the Thema, is how you say "Chrysler 300" in Italian because this is essentially a Chrysler 300 in Lancia's clothing, even when this new Thema is imported from Ontario, Canada. Shame on Chrysler for calling the Chrysler 300 "Imported from Detroit", even when this is Chrysler's brand slogan.

The new Thema's exterior design is a fitting trend to the Italian Mafia, making it a perfect car to initiate a mob threat in Amalfi, or at least it could be because both the Lancia Thema and the Chrysler 300 are perfect mob cars, good enough to turn hapless victims into a mob target. Once you face one while you and your family are on a trip to Italy, you'll be a sitting duck while your family's been abducted by the mob and demanding a ransom on you.

Surprisingly if you're the henchman working for the Godfather, you'll be impressed by the Thema's world class interior that pleases your uncle who calls all the shots. What completes the Thema's interior is the Uconnect system and Alpine sound system that delivers the best experience only a true Italian-American premium sedan would get, that is when you have loads of surprise goons waiting.

Unlike the 300, the Lancia Thema doesn't offer a fire-breathing HEMI V8 engine, which sounds disappointing. Here, it is offered in Pentastar 3.6L V6, 3.0L Multijet II 190cv and 3.0L Multijet II 239cv engine. That's one petrol and two diesel engines available for the Chrysler 300's Italian cousin. Okay, a Lancia Thema equipped with Pentastar 3.6L V6 produces 286PS of power and 340Nm of torque, capable of getting 0-100 in 7.9 seconds, 240kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 10.6km/L (9.4L/100km). Secondly, the 3.0L Multijet II 190cv engine produces 190PS of power and 440Nm of torque, capable of getting 0-100 in 10.1 seconds, 232kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 14.1km/L (7.1L/100km). Finally, the 3.0L Multijet II 239cv engine produces 239PS of power and 550Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100 in 9 seconds, 232kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 13.9km/L (7.2L/100km). They are all mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Sadly, no 8-speed as expected...

The Lancia Thema is available in seven exterior colors; Bright White (Bianco Pastello), Black (Nero), Black berry (Blu scuro), Ivory (avorio Tristrato), Luxury brown (Marrone scuro), Mineral Gray (grigio Scuro), and Silver (grigio Chiaro).

My comment:
Even though it was imported from Ontario, the Lancia Thema, Chrysler 300's Italian cousin, is a fitting role for the Italian Mob, readying their well-orchestrated attack against you, a wealthy businessman, and your family. Watch out because if you seen one, this is not safe for your Italian travel because with this car, there's bound to be a mob threat. If you were in North America, I wonder there's a way to convert the Chrysler 300 into a Lancia Thema.

Photo: Lancia Automobiles - Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.

Clarkson's comments provoked union workers

Jeremy Clarkson

Well, you got admit it that Top Gear veteran Jeremy Clarkson really done a lot of insane things on and off the set. Seems that he's getting out of control when he was guested at BBC's One Show. He said to the One Show hosts that he's getting annoyed by union workers. In fact, union workers got themselves furious about Clarkson's comments, even the heat passes on British Prime Minister David Cameron! OH NO!

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/union-demands-jeremy-clarkson-firing-w-video/

"Fun, Family, Pizza!"

What just happened on the December 2, 2011 episode of Bubble Gang?

- Bubble Gags that can escape the wedding for some reasons...

- Looks like Cheche and Bureche are enjoying playing a game of Angry Birds...

Bureche is enjoying Angry Birds
in Cheche's iPad

- Seems to be there is a woman who is hurting herself if she sees a mirror...

- A visit to the marriage counselor is not always helpful for the couple...

- For us but thin crust, SHECKIES! Bubble Gang does Shakey's by spoofing this commercial as Sheckies!

Bubble Gang does Shakey's!

- It's that time of the week again! Bubble Gang Pick Up Lines! Ayt! Ayt! Katahimikan! Katahimikan!

1) Ligaw na bala ka ba? Kasi kahit hindi ka para sa akin, tinatamaan ako sa 'yo!

2) Pressure cooker ka ba? Kasi pinapalambot mo ang puso ko!

3) Turnilyo ka ba? Kasi habang umiikot ka sa isip ko, bumabaon ka sa puso ko!

4) Mukha kang nanay! Nanay ng magiging anak ko!

5) Bagay sa'yo maging amo! Kasi inulila mo ang puso ko!

6) Tubig ka ba? Kasi, paboritong panoorin ng mga chimpanzee ang parada ng mga chimpanzee!

7) Itutuwid ko ang lagdas ko! Para sa'kin ka didiretso!

8) Upuan ka ba? Basilio? Crispin?

- Two guys are watching a video about being gay!

- James Wang storms through the crime scene for some INVESTIGATION, James Wang-style!

- Tita Tete read a letter from a woman about her miserable life.

- IyoTube in Ipagpatawad

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION

The success of the 2011 summer anime film, Hayate the Combat Butler! HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH, made them realize that the Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION has arrived and those compilation of character songs from the past two seasons are a deserving memorabilia for the Hayate fans everywhere.

Five Character CDs are offered and each of these is considered a treasure to them. I'm very sure that you heard of them already but these can be a great gift to your friends who are very fond of the Hayate the Combat Butler series but never gotten any character CDs from the hit anime series. Glad to know that they're here all thanks to Geneon Universal Entertainment, each costs 2100 Japanese Yen. Be sure to have one at your nearest record bars!

1) Hayate Ayasaki & Nagi Sanzenin

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION / Hayate Ayasaki & Nagi Sanzenin

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 僕はキミのモノ
02 運命のPrice
03 underage
04 笑顔のために
05 Oh! My Honey
06 だめっ!
07 ぞ!
08 だ・か・ら！
09 恋したらファンタジー
10 カラコイ
11 白皇学院校歌

2) Hinagiku Katsura & Ayumu Nishizawa

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION / Hinagiku Katsura & Ayumu Nishizawa

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 Power of Flower
02 白皇学院生徒会心得
03 愛と情熱のカルナバル
04 100点満点なんかじゃない!
05 Do my Best!
06 I miss You
07 キミがいるから ~Just Windy Love~
08 がんばれ片想い
09 キミファン
10 恋待ち
11 本日、満開ワタシ色！

3) Nagi Sanzenin & Maria

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION / Nagi Sanzenin & Maria

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 ストロウハット・ファンタジィ
02 Shootin' Star
03 エプ・ロマネスク
04 かくれんぼ
05 完全無休、笑顔です
06 ROUTINE?
07 紅茶のワルツ
08 夢の中でもそばにいる
09 AFTER 0：00
10 ピeeeeeeeeeeeeeス! ～ひつじの手もかりたい～

4) Hakuo Three Amiga & Yukiji Katsura

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION / Hakuo Three Amiga & Yukiji Katsura

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 「ごめん」で済むなら恋などしない
02 白皇学院生徒会不心得
03 轟轟生徒会タンケンジャー
04 アイ・ラブ・ユーならシャウトして!
05 Princess is me
06 本日、満開ワタシ色!
07 ￥JENNEY ~銭 it’s my Soul~
08 もっと素顔でハーマイオニー
09 自由賛歌!
10 本日、満開ワタシ色!
11 轟轟生徒会タンケンジャー (BONUS)

5) Isumi Saginomiya & Sakuya Aizawa & Wataru Tachibana & Saki Kijima & Sister

Hayate the combat butler Character CD COLLECTION / Isumi Saginomiya & Sakuya Aizawa & Wataru Tachibana & Saki Kijima & Sister

TRACK LISTINGS:
01 十六夜迷子
02 おみくじ 第八千八百拾番
03 道しるべ
04 NA・NI・WA らぶもーしょん
05 Happy Lucky 7 Days
06 ムテキをねらえっ
07 SEASONS
08 哀 MYSTERY
09 メイド・イン・ラブ
10 C’mon!!
11 1%のキセキ

Apple's iPhone 4S coming to Smart this December 16

iPhone 4S

Smart Communications, one of the finest telecommunications brands in the Philippines, will be the exclusive telecom to bring out Apple's new iPhone 4S this December 16! The announcement came at the official site of Smart.

Love the iPhone 4S but you're still on SMART? That's your one!

Be the first: http://www1.smart.com.ph/postpaid/iphone4s

SCARLET WINGS

SCARLET WINGS

This is Elisa's 9th (or possibly her last) single album right before she left for her career break due to her fatigue.

Titled "SCARLET WINGS" this known to be the main theme song of the new XBOX 360 video game, Meikyuu Cross Blood: Reloaded. This maxi single contains six tracks, one is the theme song from Meikyuu Cross Blood: Reloaded, the other one is the insert song from the video game titled Secret Labyrinth, the "short size" version of SCARLET WINGS, two karaoke versions of tracks one and two, and the sixth track is the "Lounge Version" SCARLET WINGS.

Those Elisa fans are sure to find this maxi single CD a "must-have" to remember Elisa forever while she's on a break. However, those video game fans who got addicted to Meikyuu Cross Blood: Reloaded would also love this!

TRACK LISTINGS:
1.SCARLET WING
2.Secret Labyrinth
3.SCARLET WING(short size)
4.SCARLET WING(Instrumental)
5.Secret Labyrinth(Instrumental)
6.SCARLET WING(Lounge ver)

General Motors plans to revamp Chevy Volt's battery

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Last month, the gasoline-electric hybrid car, the Chevrolet Volt, caught fire during a crash test from NHTSA. The NHTSA denied that the Chevy Volt or any other electric vehicle have greater risk of fire than petrol-fed vehicles.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/11/chevy-volt-battery-catches-fire-in-nhtsa-lab/

Then, NHTSA conducts investigation on the Chevrolet Volt's fire investigation, figuring out how did fire catch up on the Chevy Volt and it turned out that the battery is the caused of this.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/26/nhtsa-releases-chevy-volt-fire-investigation-details/

Because of this, General Motors may soon plan to revamp the Volt's battery so this event won't be happened again. Those 5,000 people in North America who had a Volt would consider having a "loaner car" until the Volt problem is solved. Also, General Motors delays the launch of the Opel Ampera, the Chevrolet Volt's German cousin, in the European region.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/gm-may-redesign-chevy-volt-battery/

Verdict: If you have a Volt, better not drive it for a while because of the "battery fire" issue or consider driving the Nissan Leaf instead. Besides, there's not even a Leaf-related "battery fire" issue. The question is, are electric cars has greater fire risks that petrol-fed vehicles? We're not really sure....

Toyota launches Hijet-based Pixis Truck and Pixis Van

2012 Toyota Pixis Truck

2012 Toyota Pixis Van

Based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van is their latest addition of Toyota's new Pixis kei-car sub-brand. These two models are focused solely for small business owners by any means.

Firstly, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van are powered by a 658cc engine that produces 50PS of power and 64Nm of torque in manual transmission variants while automatic transmission variants produce 53PS of power.

Fuel economy for the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD MT is 17.0km/L 10-15 while the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD AT is 16.4km/L 10-15. The Pixis Truck's fuel economy is 18.2km/L 10-15.

Press Release: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/11/12/1201.html

Renault Koleos Phase II

2012 Renault Koleos

With the facelifted Renault Samsung QM5 on sale now, it seems that Renault's Koleos is following suit as well. The Koleos' minor change now sports a new front face that makes is sophisticated and the grille can be somewhat similar to the Renault Latitude. As for the interior, it remains the same as the pre-facelift model.

The Renault Koleos Phase II comes with FF or 4WD layouts. It is available in dCi 150, and dCi 175 engines. It seems that this new Koleos is now only focused on the Euro V diesel variants rather than gasoline variants because most of the Europeans think that diesel is cheaper than unleaded, well that's a joke. Anyway, the 2.0L dCi 150 engine produces 150PS of power and 320Nm of torque. This helps the Koleos reach 0 -100kmh in 10 seconds and it can do flat out in 183kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 17.5km/L (5.7L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 148g/km but with the 4WD layout, it can achieve a fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km and with the 6-speed automatic equipped, it can achieve a fuel economy of 14.1km/L (7.1L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 186g/km.

The high end 2.0L dCi 175 with standard 4WD layout produces 175PS of power and 360Nm of torque, helping the Koleos achieve 0-100kmh in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 191kmh. It can even achieve a combined fuel economy of 15.6km/L (6.4L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 166g/km.

With two lines, Carminat and Exception, available the new Renault Koleos comes in six colors such as Beige Mineral, Blanc Perle, Gris Argent, Gris Mars, Noir Métallique, and Blanc Glacier.

My comment:
This facelifted Koleos is all about being update on Renault's first full-fledged SUV but too bad though, it's still not offered in the United Kingdom because of poor sales.

Photo: RENAULT

Star Confusion

2013 Subaru BRZ

The Toyota 86 might be the first but it's not the only one. Appeared in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the production-spec 2013 Subaru BRZ is a Toyota 86 with a different flavor. At first glance, it looks the same as the Toyota 86 but the BRZ has a different front.

This is a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, and you should expect the same boxer engine developed within the joint venture.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-subaru-brz-sports-coupe-first.html

2012 Subaru BRZ Race Car

What's cool is that the Subaru BRZ is coming at the Super GT300 season soon, replacing the Subaru Legacy B4 GT300 Race Car. We think it's cool to see the BRZ in racing guise but will it work?

We are sure that the BRZ naming is confusing. Think CR-Z and RCZ, that's confusing and it was like Alpha Bert's arranging the letters of these. BRZ stands for "Boxer Rear-wheel-drive Zenith" and this is the first FR car from Subaru. Like the Toyota 86, the Subaru BRZ will debut in the first half of 2012.

2013 Scion FR-S

Let's not forget that the 2013 Scion FR-S is now out in the open. This is just somewhat an Americanized version of the 2013 Toyota 86, and it will go on sale in North America next year.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/30/2013-scion-fr-s-makes-the-triangle-complete/

The Run of Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The Lamborghini Aventador is a special car exclusive for those who bought Need For Speed The Run LIMITED EDITION. 

Name: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Nationality: Italian

Top Speed: 217MPH

0 to 60 time: 2.9 seconds

BHP: 690 @ 8,250RPM

Performance: Tier 5

Handling: Normal

Class: Supercar

Drivetrain: AWD

Value: $380,000

Manufacture Year: 2011

The Murcielago is dead. Long live the Aventador! With the success of Lamborghinis in the past that span half a century with V12 engines as their signature dish, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 continues the legendary tradition with its all new 6.5L V12 engine that produces 690BHP, which in Lamborghini math, it says 700. It can go 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds and flat-out, it can do 217MPH. Upon its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Aventador became the star of the show and no wonder that a full-year supply of Aventador models have already been asked for, in short, SOLD OUT! Unlike most Lamborghinis in the past that focused only on Top Speed and leaving Handling as a low priority, the Aventador is different. It's now focused only on cornering, leaving top speed a low priority, but this car still cares about acceleration. It features a seven-speed paddle shift transmission, push-rod suspension, and carbon fiber monocoque.

Those who've already bought NFS The Run Limited Edition are going to enjoy the Aventador. It's all about "Conquering The Bull" and this could be an ideal weapon for the master.

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05

The fifth addition of THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER lineup has arrived and this should be a hard buy if your snoozing around for a long time. THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 05 packs 15 tracks inspired from THE IDOLM@STER anime series aired on TBS.

These includes songs heard from episodes 11 to 15 and there are two bonus tracks for added enjoyment. This is a must have if you're busy collecting the rest of THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER range such as READY!!, THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 02, THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER 03, and CHANGE!!!!

TRACK LIST:
01. 今日も元気！
02. #11劇中歌「笑って！」
03. #11エンディング・テーマ「START!!」
04. 蒼い鳥(Piano Instrumental Version)
05. #12劇中歌「ふるふるフューチャー☆」
06. #12エンディング・テーマ「ショッキングな彼」
07. GO MY WAY!!（BGM VERSION)
08. #13劇中歌「マリオネットの心(M@STER VERSION)」
09. #13劇中歌「自分REST@RT(M@STER VERSION)
10. #13エンディング・テーマ「 i 」
11. #14劇中歌「キミはメロディ(M@STER VERSION)
12. #14エンディング・テーマ「Colorful Days(M@STER VERSION)
13. #15エンディング・テーマ「MEGARE!(M@STER VERSION)」
14. ボーナス・トラック「音無小鳥の秘密レポート〜3度目の正直だけど、多分いつもと同じ編〜」
15. ボーナス・トラック2「第13話LIVE曲メドレー」