Phantom Drophead Coupe BLACK BISON

WALD Rolls-Royce Phantom
Drophead Coupe Black Bison

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe gets the BLACK BISON treatment courtesy of Wald and this eccentric modification features the most parts that made the Phantom Drophead Coupe even more luxurious and perfect for a night cruise in downtown Tokyo.

URL: http://www.wald.co.jp/parts_acce/carrange/rolls_royce/phantom_drophead/phantom_drophead.html

Ssangyong Korando Sports

The now Indian-owned Korean car company, Ssangyong, unexpectedly started the year 2012 with a new model that some say is the production version of the SUT-1 concept car. This is Korando Sports, the evolution of Korea's first pickup truck since the Musso Sports in 2001 and the Actyon Sports in 2006. However, the Korando Sports has no direct relation to the Korando C crossover SUV despite the naming.

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

Take a second look at the Korando Sports and you'll see that nearly most of the components were exactly the same as the SUT-1 Concept Car but this is just an Actyon Sports refreshed...or is that a facelift? Well, despite being a replacement for the Actyon Sports, the Korando Sports is just the same old Actyon Sports being sorted out and that's just rubbish. You can't pick a fight against the Volkswagen Amarok with that!

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

On the Korando Sports' interior, well that's a coincidence. This looks the same as the Actyon's interior! I mean yes, the dashboard's been derived from the Actyon but refined with a new instrumental panel, and air conditioning, and that's it. This pickup truck has room for five passengers and high-end versions do get an available DMB navigation system and USB connectivity.

2012 Ssangyong Korando Sports

The e-XDi200 engine that powers the Korando Sports produces 155PS of power output and 36.7kg•m of torque. 2WD AT variants can go up to 13.5km/L of fuel economy while 4WD AT variants promise about 12.8km/L of fuel economy. A Korando Sports with a 2WD layout and a 6-speed manual transmission can go as much as 15.6km/L of fuel economy.

For safety, the Korando Sports comes with Electronic Stability Program, a 4WD system that has three modes depending on road conditions, and Depowered airbags.

The Korando Sports has seven colors; Indian Red, Canyon Brown, Marble Grey, Space Black, Fine Silver, and Grand White.

My comment:

About the Korando Sports... Brakes are rubbish, Ride's rubbish, seats are rubbish, THAT'S RUBBISH... Honestly, I still prefer the Korando C SUV for my own tastes. This is a pickup truck that is made with no soul and no flair and oh no! That's horrible!

In terms of pricing, prices start at 20,410,000 Korean Won (about $18,000 or 800,000 Philippine Pesos) for the entry-level variant up to 27,230,000 Korean Won (about $24,000 or 1,050,000 Philippine Pesos) for the CX7 VISION variant, which makes the Korando Sports a very good value.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company

Toyota Camry AVV50 modified by LX-Mode

LX-Mode Toyota Camry (2012)

The 2012 Toyota Camry is somewhat the most luxurious hybrid car you can afford in Japan. However, if style is your consideration, don't try to overspend it to make it scary because you'll ruin it. Instead, why not spend it to make it more luxurious? A company named LX-Mode provide some modification parts for the 2012 Camry. Customers can modify the 2012 Camry into something gorgeous with some front bumper garnish, black grille garnish, mark-less front grille, colored license frame, side garnish, enhanced lighting, jewelry rhinestone ring surrounding the start/stop button, and most of it. Looks pretty to see but plenty of nuisance for this hybrid sedan.

URL: http://www.lx-mode.jp/lineup/2011/12/toyota-50camry.php

The Power of Presence

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Range Rover Evoque is one of my favorites because of its technology, crossover styling, and luxurious interior. It maybe a "baby Range Rover" but it does well. As you heard, Land Rover Philippines announced the arrival of the all new Range Rover Evoque.

Available in the Philippines is the Evoque Si4 which produces 240HP of power and it comes with direct fuel injection technology. It is mated with a 6-speed paddle shift transmission. The Evoque is priced at 5,350,000 Philippine Pesos while the Evoque Coupe is priced at 5,500,000 Philippine Pesos.

You should know that the Evoque is Motor Trend's 2012 SUV of the Year and 2012 North American Car of the Year.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/land-rover-philippines-launches-range-rover-evoque

Fourth Bourne movie shooting in the Philippines

The Bourne Trilogy Blu-Ray

As heard, the fourth Bourne movie, titled The Bourne Legacy, as about to start filming at the Philippines and it's not what you think. By January 11 to 15, shooting starts at some portions of San Andres St., then J. Bocobo corner Remedios streets on January 18 to 19. Later, they'll shoot at Leveriza Street from Balingkit to San Andres on January 15, San Adres corner Quirino and Taft Avenue on January 14, Riverside Road, Real and Sta. Lucia Streets in Intramuros on January 25 and February 17-18, Jones Bridge on February 5 and Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. from February 8 to 15.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/where-to-stalk-actors-in-the-fourth-bourne-film

Word from MMDA is that during the Philippine filming for the fourth Bourne film expect some traffic out there and they'll provide you some alternate routes where you can find out at:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/schedule-alternative-routes-during-bourne-legacy-filming

Hope you'll don't mess it up!

New Honda City - Always Ahead

2012 Honda City

Big news! Honda Cars Philippines start the new year with a bang with the launch of the 2012 City (known in South Africa as the Ballade) Minor Change that was introduced in Thailand last year. From here, the 2012 City features a new grille, new bumper, new taillights, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, new instrumental cluster, and some chrome accents on the center console.

It still gets the same 1.5L and 1.3L engines and the same 5-speed transmissions but the pricing starts at 746,000 Philippine Pesos for the entry-level 1.3 S MT variant up to 836,000 Philippine Pesos for the 1.5 E AT variant.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/updated-honda-city-launched-in-philippine-market

Welcome Back - 2010 Vauxhall Insignia VXR

The Stig gets down and dirty with
this turbo-nutter from Vauxhall!

Vauxhall's turbo-nutter executive saloon car, the Insignia VXR, returned in Forza Motorsport 4 with no major changes whatsoever in terms of tuning. For me, this is one of my favorite Vauxhall models ever featured in this game and the Vauxhall Insignia VXR holds a place in Top Gear history. In one episode of Top Gear, James May test drives the Vauxhall Insignia VXR, and later accompanied by Margaret Calvert, the designer of British road signs. Here on Forza Motorsport 4, it competes against the likes of the Volvo S60 R-Design and the Subaru Legacy B4 (BM9) respectively but can it do any better? Still, it was a good car for keeps and this turbo-nutter hasn't changed at all.