The Pagani Zonda Cinque is all about PASSION

If you remember the Top Gear DVD that was launched in late 2009, titled Richard Hammond's Top Gear Uncovered, you should realize that the Pagani Zonda Cinque is part of the final lesson of what it takes to be a Top Gear presenter, and that is TOP GEAR PASSION. Forza Motorsport 4 is all about "passion" for cars and this 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is the perfect example of "passion" for cars.

The Zonda Cinque fuels your passion for automobiles.

I thought the Pagani Zonda Cinque was meant to be the final explosive farewell of Richard Hammond's absolute favorite supercar but in truth, the real ending was the Zonda Tricolore. Whatever, anyway the Pagani Zonda Cinque carries a seven-figure price tag, costing a million dollars. Yep, that's too much for a toy but as the name implies, only five units will be made. Under the hood is the Mercedes-AMG derived 7.3L V12 engine that produces 678HP of power and 575lb-ft of torque. This is somewhat a softened road-legal version of the track-only Pagani Zonda R. I didn't realize that the Zonda Cinque's bodywork is made of a new composite material called Carbotanium. If you don't know about Carbotanium, Google search for that.

The Pagani Zonda Cinque's interior

The 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is part of Forza Motorsport 4's Autovista feature where you can explore more about this car, and you can even hear Jeremy Clarkson's comments about the Zonda Cnique. It's true that a Modena-based car manufacturer like Pagani always get it right, very very right.

"Ferrari, Lamborghini, you lost that crown. It's the Zonda's now." - Richard Hammond, Top Gear

Testing out the Cinque at the
Top Gear Test Track

This Pagani Zonda Cinque is the ultimate lesson in car passion and we are fueled after hours of listening to Richard Hammond's lecture on what it takes to be a Top Gear presenter. So if you don't mind before man comes and takes this car, I'll better get out of there, listening to Chihaya Kisaragi's character song...

We bought this - DC2

Dance Central 2

This is my Ate Elise's favorite game. The Dance Central 2 video game, sequel to the hit 2010 Kinect dance game and this one's very hard to find because at Fry's, no one has one, only the original Dance Central! Damn that raincheck from Fry's that tempts us to visit often for availability!

Anyway, because we bought it, I am NOT going to play this because I might get into serious trouble, as well as some Kinect-related troubles I might be causing. I have to let my sisters Bea and Ate Elise do the thing because they are familiar with the first one (the demo one) and they want to try it because this one's addicting.

SLS AMG tuning by Inden Design

Inden Design SLS AMG

The guys at Inden Design let the tuning do the talking for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG sportscar. With that, the Inden-tuned SLS AMG comes with an custom exhaust system with a new manifold and catalytic converters as well as an improved computer that provides a power increase by 52HP, giving this tuned SLS AMG 623HP! 20-inch rims are slapped on this car.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/inden-design-gives-mercedes-benz-sls.html

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Why you guys love wallpapers?

Many people are looking for wallpapers on the internet to set it as a desktop background. Just so why are most of the internet illiterates often get hooked on finding wallpapers of their favorite interests? As most internet surfers are often hooked on photos, the most favorite things to do on their computer is set most of the big pictures as desktop background to make it more interesting when the next time they logged on their computers.

What with? Most? I'm sorry but why are you guys looking for wallpapers? My blog has a "no wallpaper policy" but most people often ignoring my warning and continue looking for something that I don't have. Most of you looking for some wallpapers of your favorite anime, video game, car, movie, celebrity, anything goes but that's too annoying. What even worse are some HD wallpapers to fit it nicely on their big laptops or big PCs. As a blogger, I don't feature wallpapers for your stupid pleasure because why? You often done a bit "search overload".

Those internet surfers who are obsessed with wallpapers should have been "tortured to death" but that's just my metaphor. A horribly weak metaphor to suggest people to stop searching for free HD wallpapers for their time-wasting pleasure. Guess this whole "wallpaper" idea could waste space and causing jams on the internet ecosystem. How bad was that? But not most are bad because official websites often offer wallpapers just for fun. The Japanese Toyota webpage, for example, has wallpapers of their current cars on their lineup for keeps, which is not kinda bad.

I don't seek wallpapers to be rubbish but if it's one too many visitors looking for wallpapers based on their interests, that will be rubbish. Seems that I'm back from where I'm all started...

That's all I can tell. See you next time...

Mercedes-Benz New SLK55 AMG (R172)

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG interior

You would hope that all AMG models are turbocharged because most models like the S63 AMG, CLS63 AMG, and the E63 AMG. However, this one is not and unlike non-turbo AMG models like the C63 AMG and the SLS AMG, it doesn't carry the 63 moniker. It retains the "55" moniker even though this new SLK AMG is based on the R172 SLK Roadster. This new SLK55 AMG from Mercedes-Benz's sport division, AMG, wasn't made to be more powerful than the rest. Why?

Under the hood, the new SLK55 AMG is powered by an all new M152 5.5L V8 direct injection engine. This all new engine provides 422PS of power output and 540Nm of torque, allowing the new SLK55 AMG reaching 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and flatout in 250kph. That new model may have been faster than the normal SLK but in my points of interests, this SLK55 AMG would have become the weakest of the AMG bloodline.

Despite being the weakest of the AMG range because of its engine, the new SLK55 AMG comes with an all new, and I'm not joking, variable cylinder management you commonly noticed it from the Honda Inspire. This variable cylinder management allows the M152 engine to run on four cylinders, providing maximum fuel efficiency and less emissions than the rest. This new feature made the new SLK55 AMG the most fuel efficient in the AMG lineup, Overall, it has CO2 emissions of 195g/km, making it the lowest of the AMG range. This new cylinder management is done if the driver has switched the transmission mode to Controlled Efficiency.

The new SLK55 AMG comes ready with the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission that comes with the manual mode to take full advantage of its paddle shifting technology, providing the free will to shift the way you move.

For enhanced fairness in cornering, the new SLK55 AMG won't be done without an available AMG Handling Package engineered for the track racing in mind. Thanks to its AMG Performance suspension, AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel, you should say that this package should be enough if you're tackling against the tight corners of the Nurburgring.

The new SLK55 AMG is available in 11 exterior colors such as Diamantweiss, Indiumgrau, Tenoritgrau, Cavansitblau, Schwarz, Perlbeige, Palladiumsilber, Obsidianschwarz, Iridiumsilber, Glenitsilber, and Feueropal.

My Comment:
Remaining the 55 moniker for this hardcore version of the SLK-Class is too rubbish because I thought the Mercedes-AMG division is supposed to be an all-turbo lineup but no. Last year, we just hoped that the facelifted C63 AMG range will use the 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine but no, they still stick with the old 6.2L Natural Aspiration V8 engine. This SLK55 AMG used the 5.5L V8 engine but stripped out its twin-turbo aspiration and switched with some kind of variable cylinder management that allows this new model to run on four cylinders. RUBBISH! I DON'T WANT THIS!

Photo: Daimler AG

"Tuloy-tuloy ang Araw"

What just happened at the January 6, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang?

- "Di kita mahal" gags

- Can Ms. Galactic winner carry all of her winnings by herself?

- What will Bureche's New Year's Resolution be?

- Three shepherds encountered an angel bringing in some good news but that's not what they meant...

- Sira ang araw mo sa allergies. Bubble Gang does Benadryl One by spoofing this commercial as Buenadryl One! Sa Buenadryl One, tuloy-tuloy ang araw!

Bubble Gang does Benadryl One

- Start the New Year right with a fresh dose of Bubble Gang Pick-Up Lines!

1) Wag kang gagalaw! Para going steady na tayo!

2) Si Josh Groban ka ba? Kasi, you raise me up!

3) Di ako gumamit ng paputok ngayon New Year. Kasi pag naiisip kita, sumasabog ang mundo ko.

4) Humps ka ba? Kasi, pag nakikita kita, napapahinto ako

5) Ako si Juan Tamad at ikaw ang bayabas. Kasi, aantayin kitang mahulog sa akin.

6) Ikaw ang kumukumpleto sa araw ko! Sorry! Wrong number!

7) Anong tagalog ng I love you? Mahal kita!

8) Ikaw ang toyo sa kanin ko! Kasi, kasi, kasi, tape!

- There are different styles of "panguutang" told by Ogie...

- Those secret lovers are too tasty to be discreet, especially if someone's is James Wang!

- IyoTube in Auld Lang Syne

- A Security Guard who is too INSECURE!

Subaru receives 7000 orders for the new Impreza range!!!!

2012 Subaru Impreza Sport

The new 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport and the new 2012 Subaru Impreza G4 is the evolution of one of the most recognizable Subaru models ever made and when it went on sale since December 2011, it scored a record-breaking 7000 units sold across Japan, exceeding the 2200 unit per month target and making this latest generation a complete success.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/green/news/0/4523/

Unfamiliar Tuner

Song played on my Personal BGM: Mommy Complex by Peaches

From the album: I Feel Cream

Opera S2000 and Opera 350Z hanging around
at the Top Gear Test Track

In the days of GT4, there was one tuner that I am not utterly familiar of. You may never heard of it or seen it but this tuner has a strong affiliation with the Gran Turismo crew. That was Opera Performance, a tuner name you are not familiar with but getting familiar with their tuned versions of the S2000 and the Z33.

With Gran Turismo 5 on the run, we are now getting knowledgeable about the Opera S2000 and the Opera Z33. Firstly, let's go over with the Opera Z33. It maybe more of a 350Z to you but this Z33 modified by Opera Performance features an enhanced body kit to make it more aggressive, toughened chassis, improved suspension, lightweight titanium exhaust, and aerodynamics created by the Gran Turismo team. Under the hood, it produces about 335HP/7600rpm of power and 249lb-ft/5500rpm of torque. The Opera Z33 only weighs about 1340kg so I could say about somewhat lighter than the normal Z33.

Now, on the Opera S2000. This Opera-modified Honda S2000 might be lacking more power than the Opera Z33 because of its 261HP power output but what it makes it up for its lack of power is the weight that is somewhat lighter than the Opera Z33 because it is 930kg, allowing the Opera S2000 to corner more efficiently than the Z33 thanks to its improved aerodynamics. Scientifically said that the Opera S2000 is the car developed using GT data for performance figures.

So, the Opera Z33 is excelled to be the most powerful Z33 ever made while the Opera S2000 is made to be the lightest S2000 ever made, with Gran Turismo-inspired technology on it because Opera Performance was a Gran Turismo affiliate. With Gran Turismo technology, these two tuned JDM cars are made with science and shaped to be more track-ready and competitive.

Renault Scenic Collection 2012

2012 Renault Scenic

2012 Renault Grand Scenic

For the 2012 model year, both the Renault Scenic (5-seater) and the Renault Grand Scenic (7-seater) receive subtle upgrades. For that, you should expect new front lamps, new front bumper, new rear view design, two new Renault Energy dCi engines and get this, the limited edition BOSE Edition becomes a regular variant for the 2012MY Scenic and 2012MY Grand Scenic.

What's more, the interior has been tweaked with a beige trim on the Expression and Privilege versions and dark charcoal trim for the Privilege versions.

At least that's not raving mad...

Available this January 2012!

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12/renault-facelifts-scenic-mpv-range-on.html 

Renault Megane Collection 2012

2012 Renault Megane Coupe

2012 Renault Megane

2012 Renault Megane Estate

2012 Renaultsport Megane

For the 2012 Model Year, the Renault Megane range gets refreshed with minor exterior updates and engine tweaks. That's right. you could expect LED daytime running lights, revised front bumper, two new colors such as "Majorelle Blue" and "Pearlescent White", optional two-tone leather-Alcantara combination on the interior, and the ever popular BOSE Edition is now an official new variant.

Megane GT and GT-Line variants will get "boomerang" LED lights, red upholstery stitching, sports steering wheel, dashboard trim strip, and Renaultsport-badged doorsill guards.

Expect new engines on the Renault Megane Collection 2012 such as the 1.2L TCe 115 Energy engine that provides more power and torque than the 1.6L engine it replaces. Also available is the all new Energy dCi 100 diesel engine.

The Renaultsport Megane and the Renaultsport Megane Trophy gets power upgrades when the driver selects the Sport mode in the Dynamic Management system.

On sale in Europe this March 2012.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/renault-rejuvenates-megane-for-2012.html

The 107-C1-Aygo triplets' Phase III

2013 Citroen C1

2013 Peugeot 107

2013 Toyota Aygo

The triplets from Czech Republic; the Peugeot 107, the Citroen C1, and the Toyota Aygo, were all given a second facelift for the 2013 model year. Those minor changes will be making their debut at the 2012 Brussels Motor Show on January 10.

The Honda Civic that is not Japanese...

We're looking on the cars of Forza Motorsport 4 that they don't get from the home market. For example that the Hyundai ix20, which is the Korean MPV that is not sold in Korea, then there was the Ford Ka which is not American. However, there was a bit of a gap for FF coupes. I was getting bored at the likes of the Mitsubishi Eclipse, old Scion tC, and the 2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

That's why I got the January Jalopnik DLC Pack but I didn't come here to score something else because the Pagani Huayra was there as the star attraction. I come here to look at this.

It's the new Honda. The 2012 Civic.
To each of their own.

It's the new, ninth-generation Honda Civic, to each of their own. This ninth-generation Civic was in North America, Europe, China, and South Korea. However, it's not sold in ASEAN countries and in Japan. I repeat, it's not available in Japan. That's not really surprising because sales of the previous-generation Honda Civic in its home market, Japan, were very poor. That was rubbish, and I do mean rubbish. There was no reason for that car to be on sale in Japan at all.

This new model is much more intriguing. Look at the pointy face, scary! Those design cues from the previous generation Civic remain but retouched to make it more advanced. However, a report from Consumer Reports said that the ninth-generation Civic is too low to recommend it. Why? You know the rest...

In my opinion, the average Civic owner were just punks who love messing the streets by night. The Honda Civic was a cheap car and this car is easy to modify. No wonder this car is fit for the cruising scene and it was made for "flexing" and "winding".

Anyway, back at the ninth-generation, not-for-Japan, Civic. This model featured on Forza 4 is the 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe, the sportiest of the Civic range. This model is powered by a 2.4L K24Z7 i-VTEC DOHC l4 engine, that is capable of 201HP of power and 170lb-ft of torque. It can do 0-60m in 6.2 seconds and flatout in 149mph. That was so surprising but it doesn't earn a place over Japan yet.

It can do a lot more!

It could almost be a Mitsubishi Lancer in Toyota Corolla money because if the ninth-generation Civic was launched in Japan, it would only cost 1,900,000 Japanese Yen. Sadly, it's in here where everything really start to come unraveled. It is dreadful but that's not really a surprise, the Japanese just don't get sportiness. To them, sportiness is just a crime on Japanese roads and it can lead in serious troubles.

But two annoying parents and a jar of Vicks Vaporub and not enough to put me off. The ninth-generation Honda Civic tries hard to be cool. If there was going to be a major refresh in the year 2013, we do hope that the Civic will perform well, look well. Well, it's a start. The new Civic isn't just a good Japanese car, but it's a car for a stop. This time, this Honda deserves a ship's passage to the Yoko Yokohama Yokosuka.

I hope I can find the real one at the R33 Auto Exchange ...