Congratulations to the winner of Hyundai THR Secret Car design contest!

ARMIPOTENT ADAM's winning entry

Forza Motorsport 4 player and member of the FM4 Car Club, APEX, ARMIPOTENT ADAM, who specializes on making fantasy liveries on FM4, is declared winner of the Hyundai THR Secret Car design contest. Thanks to his unique design, ARMIPOTENT ADAM takes home the 2012 Veloster. Ahem, we're talking about a real life Veloster. With that, I'm sure ARMIPOTENT ADAM will be happy to drive home the Veloster in real roads. Congratulations!

ARMIPOTENT ADAM may have been the winner of the Hyundai THR Secret Car design contest but your chance of taking home the Veloster still goes on because Hyundai Motor America and Forza Motorsport 4 announces "Hyundai Veloster Time Trials". From December 28 to January 8, players must download the Veloster gamer pic as a registration for the Hyundai Veloster Time Trials. Without this, you won't be participating.

Hyundai Motor America and Forza Motorsport 4 will announce the track and the Hyundai car will be using on this special event next week. The top 1000 players will move on to the second round next February and the fastest player will take home the Veloster.

Scoop: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/display.aspx?id=19327361356&blogid=71

....with apologies to Houki Shinonono, always.

Lancia Stratos concept

That will leave a bucket of tears to Houki Shinonono after all because multiple reports said that the New Stratos will no longer being produced, all thanks to Ferrari rejecting the hopes of the production run.

That made her sad...

However, despite the New Stratos will no longer being built because of Ferrari's rejection, reports suggest that a new Alpine is in the works.

Scoop: http://jalopnik.com/5872768/new-stratos-is-dead-long-live-the-alpine

The Un-Korean Korean Car

Family trip to the Swiss Alps

Yup! It's the Korean car not sold in South Korea and made exclusively for the European continent, the Hyundai ix20. I have no idea how did that car featured in Forza Motorsport 4 and I don't think there's a significance to this mini-MPV that was produced from the Czech Republic, the same country where they make the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, and the Peugeot 107. For a quick refresh about what is the Hyundai ix20, this mini MPV made a world premiere at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and it uses the platform from a car you used to have... A KIA V_NG_! (Sorry, some vowels blurted out to avoid search overload).

The ix20 variant shown in Forza 4 is powered by a 1.4L Gamma petrol engine which produces 89HP of power and 101lb-ft of torque. Which sounds familiar because this is the same engine that powered a car you currently have... A HYUNDAI _CC_NT! (Sorry, vowels bleeped again to avoid search overload).

The Stig drives the ix20!

I am very, very, very disappointed about the Hyundai ix20. Even though it is outfitted with Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, it's still worth lacking because it's not sold in South Korea. I don't really recommend the ix20 to be a good car for the Forza 4 rookies but thankfully, it's still a Hyundai that does not speak Korean.

Bandai pulling out of the DVD, Bluray and Manga market in the US

Hayate the Combat Butler

This may be different from what happened to Tokyopop when it was closed at the end of May 2011. Bandai Entertainment is downsizing and for that, they will be pulling out of the DVD, Blu-Ray, and manga market, focusing only on licensing.

Beginning January 2012, Bandai Entertainment will no longer releasing new DVDs, Blu-Rays, and others. What does that mean? Don't expect releases of Nichijou, Gosick, among many others. That makes me so sad. Well, when Hayate the Combat Butler DVDs arrived in North America via Bandai Entertainment, sorry to say that they won't bring English-subtitled Hayate the Combat Butler 2nd Season DVD and Blu-Rays, especially the Heaven is a Place on Earth movie. What's worse is that they won't bringing second season of K-ON in the USA, especially the K-ON movie recently shown in Japanese theaters since December 2011.

Despite withdrawals, Bandai Entertainment still lives in a very different approach. They will continue to sub-license some anime in North America to the internet and TV broadcasters, especially merchandising.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/bandai_downsizing_ken_iyadomi_interview

MINI Coupe tuning by AC Schnitzer

AC Schnitzer MINI Coupe 

The new MINI Coupe gets tuned by AC Schnitzer for the very first time. While we're still don't know about the performance figures yet, this modified MINI Coupe comes with a limited slip differential that locks up 75% for the Cooper S Coupe and it comes with a special exhaust for the Cooper S Coupe and the JCW Coupe. It also comes with a specially modified braking system, height-adjustable suspension, spring kit, aluminum strut brace, and rear anti-roll bar for the Cooper Coupe. Most have a choice of either a 17-inch or 18-inch rims. This Mini Coupe can't get even more wicked for the "cruising" scene.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/ac-schnitzer-tricks-out-new-mini-cooper.html

2012MY Renault Twingo and Megane Coupe tuning by Elia

Elia Renault Twingo

Elia Renault Megane RS

The facelifted 2012MY Renault Twingo and the Renault Megane got tuned by German tuning firm, Elia, who specializes on tuning cars straight from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On the tuned 2012MY Twingo, it comes fitted with a tuned suspension and 17-inch mags. On the tuned Renault Megane, it comes with Scissor-type doors that can be fitted on all kinds, especially the Renaultsport Megane.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/elia-presents-new-packages-for-2012.html

Welcome Back: 2009 Lotus Evora

Just like what Jeremy Clarkson did on Top Gear

Lotus Dress Shop returned on Forza Motorsport 4. If you said "Lotus Dress Shop", blame it on Clarkson for calling it for the Lotus Evora. With no major changes occurred, I often used the Lotus Evora with multiple strategies in mind. Let's put it with this; if the Evora comes with the 6-speed manual transmission, I'll just put it on "MANUAL W/CLUTCH" but I need to be alert while shifting gears because pressing the Clutch is required before switching gears, otherwise, I might damage the transmission. When I'm thinking about the Lotus Evora S (the supercharged Evora), I should just fit a supercharger on the Evora's V6 engine so it can act like the Evora S. What about the Evora IPS? By my research, the IPS is the Evora that comes with a 6-speed automatic + manual mode. Play the Evora on AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and it should be enough but for something, I'll play the Evora on MANUAL TRANSMISSION. The Lotus Evora is built for strategy from the driver in mind and this applies the same thing on Forza Motorsport 4.

Guess I should drive the Lotus Evora at the Top Gear Test Track anyway...

Evoque modified by Project Kahn

Project Kahn Range Rover Evoque

The folks from Kahn Automobiles Boutique decided to modify the Range Rover Evoque into something exquisite that is well fit for the "cruising" scene. Here on out, Project Kahn promises different color schemes on the Evoque's roof and body depending on the customers' personal preference. What's more the Kahn Evoque will come in 20 to 22-inch rims by choice. This is all about personalization for the all new Range Rover Evoque.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/project-kahn-stylish-take-on-range.html

Manhart Racing MH3 V8 RS Clubsport

Manhart Racing MH3 V8 RS Clubsport

The guys at Manhart Racing stop at nothing to modify the BMW M3 E92 coupe into somewhat extraordinary. So extraordinary, that its performance figures are way above the Lamborghini Aventador levels. Why? The Manhart Racing MH3 V8 RS Clubsport uses the base M3 E92 as its foundation, swapped the normal engine into the V8 engine derived from the X6 M, and inject it with twin turbos, giving this modified M3 to reach, and they're not joking, 750HP of power!!!

750HP of power, 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds, and top speed of 217mph, that's what makes it so special in every single way. If power wasn't enough, the MH3 V8 RS Clubsport comes with a carbon fiber body parts to make it lighter, a freakishly huge rear wing, 20-inch rims, carbon full-shell seats, and roll cage for added stability.

Scoop: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/bmw/2011-bmw-mh3-v8-rs-clubsport-by-manhart-racing-ar121925.html

KENSTYLE EIK Serena C26

KENSTYLE EIK Serena C26

The Nissan Serena C26 was definitely the most fuel-efficient Serena ever made but if styling is not enough for your desire for "flexing" and "winding", the guys at KENSTYLE lets you modify the Serena C26 that is somewhat fit for the "cruising" type.

Customers can modify the Serena C26 with front half spoiler, front grille, front fins, and rear half spoiler. That won't be complete without a quad exhaust courtesy of Fujitsubo (sold separately).

URL: http://www.kenstyle.co.jp/info2.php?id=234

Welcome Back: 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

V12 Vantage speeds through the Motegi Super Speedway

I am glad to see the 2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage back in Forza Motorsport 4. But it doesn't matter, this weird looking V12 Vantage is just not my kind of Aston Martin, despite this is the V8 Vantage with the DBS engine on it. That is, a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 510BHP of power output.

As I watched an episode of Top Gear USA, I thought that the V12 Vantage's top speed is somewhat 190mph but with Rutledge Wood behind the wheel at some salt flat, 175mph was his best.

"Liars! All of the Brits are liars!" -Rutledge Wood, Top Gear USA

Welcome Back: 2007 Audi S5

Ferrari geek seek an unsuspecting S5 passed by...

"Is that the RS5?!" A cop said...

First of all, sorry for why I smothered my Audi S5 with something that you commonly see on automotive news sites. With the Audi S5 returned on Forza Motorsport 4, there is a hidden surprise added at the Aero and Appearance section. Yes, you can camouflage the S5 to make it look like the 2011 Audi RS5. With the 2011 Audi RS5 coming soon at the Jalopnik DLC Pack, I guess this whole idea of converting the S5 to look like the RS5 should be useless. What I resort now is cover it with something black and swirly that you commonly see on automotive news sites...

Anyway, I should drive the Audi S5 round the Top Gear test track while listening to something Gaelic...