The passion of the Veloster Turbo

When the Hyundai Veloster came out in South Korea last year, as part of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab brand, the Korean automaker really thrown a curve by releasing this eccentric hatchback coupe that opens one door at the driver's side and two doors at the passenger side. Here in South Korea, it is limited to 18,000 units to keep its premium image and for a fact, it was featured on the City Hunter Korean drama starring Lee Min Ho. Because it was powered by a 1.6L GDi engine, the Philippines won't be getting those because of the country's fuel not yet refined for fuel injection technologies. However, some didn't get that memo and hastily bring the Veloster as a grey market import. That is just stupid and made me sad. Why did most Filipinos want the Veloster so much even though the fuel-injected engine not fit for their country?

Well, to shut them up, unless if you're a Filipino living in the suburbs of San Francisco and Los Angeles, the folks from Hyundai Motor Company and Forza Motorsport 4 teamed up to bring the Hyundai Veloster to the game via the "Hyundai Veloster Bonus Pack". What they did bring on Forza Motorsport 4 is the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, which recently made a world premiere at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

That Hancars gig wasn't my idea...

A Veloster mated with a Gamma 1.6L Turbo GDi engine is the perfect marriage made in heaven. Just imagine what they did is turning a boring hatchback into a street fighting "come on, you think you're hard enough" road fighter and a Geordie Saturday night attitude to peace and love. (Punching the camera) Clearly, what Hyundai did is take a dreary Veloster hatchback coupe and threw most of it away.

Lee Min Ho proves he's faster than The Stig!

You see that's because the all new Gamma 1.6L Turbo GDi engine is capable of releasing 201HP of power output and 195lb-ft of torque output. Mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, it promises an estimated fuel economy of 38MPG highway thanks to its direct fuel injection. While Hyundai never told about its top speed and 0-60 time, Forza Motorsport 4 told us the figures of the Veloster Turbo but this is a little bit tentative if you ask. It will go 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, and top speed is limited to 145.5 mph, which in Top Gear math is 146mph.

The Hyundai Veloster's interior

The Veloster Turbo is an addition to the game's Autovista feature but to do that, you have to complete a challenge in order to explore more about the Veloster Turbo in Autovista. I am impressed to be one of the first people who will witness the sound of the Gamma 1.6L Turbo GDi engine and see why the Veloster really is a 1+2 door hatchback coupe. I find it weird about the BlueLink feature but can you play XBOX 360 games on the Veloster's BlueLink telematics system? Oh no...

Hyundai Veloster in Top Gear!

Because the Veloster Turbo weighs under 2800 pounds, I expected to be more lighter than other C-class FWD cars such as Peugeot RCZ, Volvo C30, Volkswagen Scirocco GT, Golf GTi, Mazdaspeed Axela, Seat Leon Cupra, and the Honda Civic Si Coupe but it's heavier than the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works and despite being a hot hatch, it lacks some European-style handling than other European hatchbacks I know.

Yes I know, that hatchback has three doors.

For a soon-to-be-a-Top-Gear-presenter like me, I would say that the Veloster Turbo is just one of the cars the Korean automotive giant's been capable of. The Forza-Hyundai collaboration really made it further since the introduction of the Genesis Coupe at Forza Motorsport 3 as well as Hyundai-sponsored events made for US players to test their skills and their passion for Hyundai. Here in Forza 4, the art of car passion (and also Top Gear passion) really furthered to satisfy this gameplay and this Veloster Turbo really satisfied me that I am one of the only Filipinos living in the USA who are interested to try the Hyundai Veloster. You know what you should do? Start your very own Veloster Relay Mission Show - Forza 4 style! Have your friends readying their Velosters and undergo series of challenges such as a game of Top Gear Car Football, Keep the It, Pass the It, Elimination, Drifting, and the good old classic circuit racing.

And that concludes my first impressions about the 2013 Veloster Turbo on Forza 4. So, if you don't mind before Lee Min Ho knocking on my house and get this car, I'd better get out of here.

Hyundai Veloster, now at Forza 4!

The moment they've been waiting for has come alive! The Hyundai Veloster finally arrived in Forza Motorsport 4 but it's not what you think.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Here it is, the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, which is part of the all new Hyundai Veloster Bonus Pack, which was released just in time for the Hyundai Veloster Time Trials. This DLC pack includes not just this but also the Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Veloster Rally Car as well!

2011 Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

This is the perfect marriage made in heaven. Two cars can now be yours and this DLC is free of charge, making the new Veloster yours to race, tune, and explore in Autovista mode. Don't worry, these Velosters are STIG APPROVED!

As told, the Hyundai Veloster Time Trials take place at Suzuka Circuit - West Section and drive the all new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo as fast as you can. The top 1000 will advance at the Championship round, where the fastest takes home the all new Veloster.

Scoop: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/hyundai_veloster_bonus_pack/

2012 North American Car of the Year is... the Avante and the Evoque!

2011 Hyundai Avante

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Hyundai Avante/Elantra MD and the new Range Rover Evoque, hailed as 2012 North American Car of the Year as announced on the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. Congratulations to Hyundai and Land Rover for such wins!

PRESS RELEASE:

Hyundai Elantra, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Win North American Car and Truck of the Year

DETROIT, - The Hyundai Elantra is the 2012 North American Car of the Year and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.

The winners were revealed Monday morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

The winners were chosen by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

The awards are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

It is the second win for Hyundai. In 2009 the Genesis won. The Sonata was one of three finalists last year.

It was the first win for Land Rover although Land Rovers were finalists twice before.

The jurors gave the Elantra 174 points, the Passat 161 and the Focus 155.

The jurors gave the Evoque 254 points, the CR-V 142 and the X3 94.

"The Hyundai Elantra is sporty, yet sensible. Luxurious, yet affordable. Spunky, but safe. The Elantra is a series of paradoxes and every one is another argument for the latest, impressive entry in the Hyundai lineup," wrote Jayne O'Donnell, a member of the jury from USA Today.

Another juror, Alex Taylor, of Fortune magazine, wrote: "Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues."

Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 10 times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker has won twice.

Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 12 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won three times.

This was the 19th year of the awards and it was the strongest showing by European automakers in 15 years with BMW, Land Rover and Volkswagen each having finalists. In 1997 Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW were the three car finalists with the winner being the Mercedes SLK.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

On December 15th the three car and truck finalists were announced. But only Ms. Collins knew the winners until she handed over envelopes today to Tony Swan, editor-at-large at Car and Driver magazine and a member of the awards' organizing committee. Mr. Swan announced the winners.

This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the "Car of the Year" in Europe.

They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. There are no paid positions. Automakers do not pay to have their vehicles considered or to use the awards in ads.

The "2011 North American Car of the Year" was the Chevrolet Volt.

Last year's "2011 North American Truck of the Year" was the Ford Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION: More information on the awards -- including names of the jurors, previous finalists and winners -- is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/

Suzuki XA Alpha Concept has one thing...

2012 Suzuki XA Alpha Concept

As seen on the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, the Suzuki XA Alpha Concept is an off-roader design study that questions one thing...

Is this the next-generation Jimny or is it something else? Something's bothering us now...

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/is-this-the-next-generation-suzuki-jimny

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3

Welcome everyone to the third volume of the Buso Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo lineup that is surely to be the best one since the last two volumes. Why? Because this includes character songs from newer models such as Eukrante (Emiri Kato), Ianeira (Marina Inoue), Estoril (Mariya Ise), Jillrivers (Yoko Hikasa), Zelnogrand (Ryoko Shiraishi) and Fubuki (Yukari Fukui), which makes Volume 3 so special because of the voices you are already familiar with since Battle Masters Mk.2 on the PSP.

Here on disc two, there are remixes of those character songs that can be somewhat enjoyable and on disc three, another Special Radio Rondo hosted by Kana Asumi and Eri Kitamura for you to spill out some fun at the comfort of your own home.

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3 is a Konamistyle exclusive CD and it is available for order at: http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/71135 under the designation of LC-2073~5.

A Mother's Story

A Mother's Story

This movie titled A Mother's Story was been shown in theaters across the North America and Europe and it captured the hearts not only the OFW's but also the Filipina mothers who find life abroad very complicating. This movie is as inspiring as the 2008 drama movie, Caregiver. This is the TFC Original Movie but now for the first time, A Mother's Story is now in the Philippines and most Filipino families are now ready to see Pokwang in a very different perspective in this touching movie.

You sure know that A Mother's Story is more like Caregiver but for Pokwang, she's a visionary portraying the role of a mother who was an OFW in the USA. Surely it was a very difficult experience for her as an OFW but with all of the struggles she faced several moments ago, how can she cope up with her family despite her struggling moments as an OFW?

Yes, this movie is a bit painful to watch but it served as an inspiration to our mothers. Once you watch this movie, you have finally realized how life was if you were like Pokwang, a mother who separates her family for working overseas but found out that working abroad can be a very painful, traumatic experience and how did your family react after years of your loss. Well, you get the point but hey, there are some appeal points to consider on this movie especially the part when Pokwang said to the daughter, played by Xyriel Manabat. "My mother is beautiful, doesn't she? Maganda ang nanay ko. Hindi naman di ba?"

My Verdict: COOL (if you're a mother)

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 23

First of all, you, a petrolhead, had a New Year's Resolution. You promised that "you will not ask everyone what is the song from a car commercial" but however, your New Year's Resolution failed, especially if you're an idiot from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who yelled "song for the veloster commercial oh yeah".

When a new year comes, those petrolheads' attitudes never changed. They just started the year 2012 with one common question straight from the car enthusiasts' mouths: What is the name of the song on car commercial?

Therefore, I'm starting this year with another batch of five Driving Musics (Car Commercial Songs) for everyone to shut up and listen to those...just before another Senate hearing about the SOPA BILL takes place...

5) 黄昏のビギン by Naomi Chiaki - from the 2011 Toyota ReBORN commercial starring Takuya Kimura and Takeshi Beat

4) Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins - from the 1997 Toyota Caldina Japanese commercial. Also heard from the 2010 Subaru Trezia Japanese commercial.

3) Run by B'z - from the 1998 Nissan Avenir Japanese commercial

2) あじさいのうた by Yuko Hara - from the 1987 Daihatsu Leeza Japanese commercial

1) Movin On Without You by Utada Hikaru - from the 1999 Nissan Terrano Japanese commercial

...and that's how I start the year right by attacking those idiots who stopped at nothing to keep asking me what's the song from a certain car commercial, and that's good because I don't want people to block the internet traffic that is much worse than caravans and bendy buses. Better refrain from asking what's that song, otherwise, I am making some decisions...