Communist Cars - The North Korean way

North Korea is somewhat a communist country and it is now under the rule of Kim Jong Un, the son of the late Kim Jong Il. I find that country very boring because there is only one channel on this country and it is somewhat known as the Korean Central Television (KCTV). It's a channel that has no commercial breaks. Here on this communist country in Asia, there was some Communist cars that looked utterly familiar but wearing a different badge. A car company that you may never heard of it but this is somewhat a communist car thing. That was known as Pyeongwha Motors Corporation. Established in 1999, Pyeonghwa Motors Corporation is a manufacturer that obtained approval for South-North Korea cooperation project. Their headquarters was located in Seoul, South Korea, which sounds ironic and their affiliated companies where Pyeonghwa Air Travel Agency, Pyeonghwa Trade, Pyeonghwa Motors General Corporation, Potonggang Hotel, and Pyeonghwa Motors New Technology Laboratory. Their slogans were "Bridge between South and North Korea", "From Baekdu to Halla", and "Go to the World with United Power".

Pyeonghwa Hwiparam

This is the Pyeonghwa Hwiparam. Produced from 2002 to 2006, the Hwiparam compact sedan is essentially a rebadged version of the Fiat Siena. It comes with a 1.6L engine that produces 80hp of power and it comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. The Hwiparam's fuel economy can go up to, and I'm not joking, 7.9km/L! Wow, now that compact car has a very poor fuel economy of its class!

Pyeonghwa Hwiparam II

The Pyeonghwa Hwiparam II is based on the China-made Brilliance BS4 sedan and it comes with a 1.8L engine that produces 110hp of power, mated with a 5-speed manual, top speed of 185kph, and fuel economy of 6.2km/L. Oh my...

Pyeonghwa Hwiparam III

The Hwiparam III is a rebadged version of the Brilliance FSV sedan and what made it worse that why did they haven't remove the FSV badges yet. That's worse. If a Chinese customer came and buy this car, he might think that this car is hiding its lies. Anyway, this is somewhat more fuel efficient than the Hwiparam II because the 1.5L engine has a fuel economy of 8.5km/L. Good thing it comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps this is somewhat North Korea's sports saloon ever made.

Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi

The Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi is just a North Korean version of the Fiat Doblo van. We can see the FIAT badges over there, just like the original Hwiparam. Guess this car is still feeding with lies. Anyway, it comes with a 1.6L diesel engine that produces a stupid 60hp of power output and a highly redundant 11km/L of fuel economy. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard.

Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi II

Apparently, this Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi II is just the North Korean take of the Philippines' favorite SUV, the Isuzu Alterra. Wasn't that rubbish for a North Korean version of the Alterra?!

Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi III

Pyeonghwa's Ppoggugi III is somewhat the North Korean version of the Isuzu pickup truck but this serves as a North Korean workman's workforce.

Pyeonghwa Ppoggugi 4WD

This is somewhat strange. This Ppoggugi 4WD is somewhat a Santa Fe and Sorento mashed-up. Care to see? It has the face of the Santa Fe with the rear of the old Sorento! Can't they think anything worse?!

Pyeonghwa Junma

So, those communist cars in North Korea aren't good when it comes to their looks, reliability, and performance. How about this? This is somewhat far from equal. This is the Pyeonghwa Junma. It is essentially based on the Ssangyong Chairman and it was served as the brand's flagship from 2005 to 2006. This car once said is the perfect limousine for the North Korean officials.

Pyeonghwa Samcheonri

Lastly, there was this. The Pyeonghwa Samcheonri, this van is somewhat familiar to the Super Grandia. This van is powered by a 2.4L petrol engine that produces 101hp of power and fuel economy of 9.8km/L.

So, have we find a proper communist car in North Korea? The answer is no. We are truly scared about North Korea but we aren't scared to their cars because they seem to be completely useless.

URL: http://www.pyeonghwamotors.com/eng/

Kia Pride/Rio UB, now in the Philippines

2012 Kia Pride

Last September 2011. Kia launched the all-new Pride to the Korean market and it comes complete in either a 4-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback. Now, the all-new Kia Pride/Rio has arrived in the Philippines courtesy of its official distributor, Columbian Autocar Corporation. Of course, they're available in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, the new Kia Pride/Rio comes available with a 1.4L MPi engine and the entry level 1.2L engine. Prices start at 598,000 for the 4-door 1.2 LX variant up to 838,000 Philippine pesos for the 5-door 1.4 EX. There are four variants available. I bet this is surely a good value for those who are looking for cheap Korean-made compacts available in the Philippines. And I hope whoever read this should better leave some comments for some questions.

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/kia-launches-all-new-rio.html

RUF XL

RUF XL

World-renowned Porsche tuner, RUF, made a long-wheelbase version of the Porsche Panamera called the RUF XL, developed for the Chinese market. Now it may sound weird but can the RUF XL be any "video-game material"? I mean it seems that RUF's heading in the right direction but can the RUF XL be more materialistic because this is a Panamera modified to be LWB? Unveiled at the 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show, the RUF XL has a length of 3,320mm and it comes with a V8 engine producing 414HP of power.

I sure hope the RUF XL has a place in video games because RUF's well known for being featured in video games.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/01/too-much-of-stretch-ruf-builds-porsche.html

WALD Panamera Black Bison

WALD Panamera Black Bison

Another modified luxury saloon that is part of WALD's Black Bison lineup. This time, the Porsche Panamera's deserved the Black Bison treatment. With a new aero kit, new set of rims, rear spoiler, fender panel, DTM Sports Muffler, and a Velour Floor Mat, this modified Panamera would stop at nothing to be more...annoying.

URL: http://www.wald.co.jp/parts_acce/carrange/porsche/panamera/panamera.html

Yes I know, it's bad, I'm sorry

Megaupload

Seems that the protest against SOPA and PIPA became highly recognizable and successful but feds can't keep up. Seems that the penalty for a successful protest leads to the closure of a file-sharing site you've already familiar with...MEGAUPLOAD!

Today, Megaupload, one of the world's popular file-sharing service, was shuttered and the founder of Megaupload is charged of facilitating millions of illegal downloads of films, music, and other content. Some say, that caused over $500 million of damages and the creator of Megaupload, Kim Dotcom, as well as other employees were apprehended in New Zealand by request of U.S. officials.

Yes I know. It's bad, I'm sorry...

Scoop: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-01-19/megaupload-feds-shutdown/52678528/1

Ford Focus ST-R meets Tanner Foust

Racer and Top Gear USA presenter, Tanner Foust, visits the Homestead-Miami Speedway to check out the Ford Focus ST-R in motion. We sure know that this race-ready Focus is just one of the things Tanner Foust's been excited about. Check out the clip:

Korean Toyota Camry CF ditches Lee Min Ho in favor for Kim Tae Hee?!

Kim Tae Hee meets
the 2012 Toyota Camry

Last year, when the 2012 Toyota Camry came out in North America, there was a special 4-episode web drama titled "The One and Only" which stars Lee Min Ho as a man who lost his memory races against time to save his loved one from his twin brother who was an ex-convict. That web drama features the many features of the 2012 Toyota Camry but that only work on Asian Americans. I should know that the USDM 2012 Camry arrived in South Korea this January 2012 and this is somewhat different. There was a Korean TV Commercial for the US-sourced Camry and that starred none other than IRIS celeb, Kim Tae Hee. I can't help myself but this Korean TV commercial really ditched Lee Min Ho in favor of Kim Tae Hee. That seems to be inappropriate but fun to see.

BMW 1M Coupe production extended until mid-2012

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe

As we all know that the BMW 1M Coupe is truly a hardcore version of the 1-Series Coupe. We were kinda worried that production of the 1M Coupe will end at the end of 2011 but there is some good news that production of the BMW 1M Coupe has been extended until the second half of 2012, according to one report from Top Gear Philippines because of the increasing demand. Talk about an encore performance!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/bmw-reveals-plan-to-launch-3-vehicles-in-2012

Centennial-aged man's secret to happiness

We saw this on YouTube. It's a long Coca-Cola commercial about a 100-year-old man from the Philippines, whose name is Lolo Mario, shares his secret to happiness. That clip made us touched after learning the 100-year-old man's secret to happiness.

R230 SL-Class tuning by PP Exclusive

PP Exclusive R230 SL-Class

The R230 SL-Class still has a little months left before the next SL-Class arrives this year so to make things up for the R230, the tuning experts from PP Exclusive prepped up a souped-up R230 SL-Class to cater its short lifespan for fun, turning yourself a clumsier and more annoying driver at the Autobahn. It comes in either 20 to 23-inch rims equipped in Dunlop tires, lowered suspension, new exhaust system, White Nappa leather seats with black stitching, and some wood trim covered with piano lacquer to make it more luxurious. This kind of tuning is not giving up on this kind of SL.

Scoop: http://auto.de.msn.com/magazin/tuning/pp-exclusive-verj%C3%BCngt-alten-mercedes-sl-8

A GT5 Mini Countryman/Crossover Getaway

Song played in my Personal BGM: リゾラ by Iori Minase (CV: Rie Kugimiya)

From the album: THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 2 -SECOND SEASON- 01 Iori Minase

This is freaking sweet. I've never tried the MINI Countryman (known in Japan as the MINI Crossover) before but thanks to Gran Turismo 5's 3rd DLC, it made me possible to try out the all new MINI Countryman/Crossover on this game and this car's about to say "Hey Diddle Diddle" because this cow's about to jump over the moon! Or maybe just throw it.

Hey Diddle Diddle! This Countryman's about to
jump over the sun! Or maybe just throw it.

Not bad driving at the snow...

Despite being an FF car, the MINI Countryman can perform well on dirt and snow because the SUV look really make it up to its name. However, despite it's offroad fun, the Countryman finds it struggling on wet courses and a little Scandinavian Flick won't do a thing either. Remember, don't overcook it unless you're a professional MINI Countryman owner at GT5 because the handling is too delicate to overcook it or it will ruin it.

Mini Countryman meets the original Mini Cooper S

What makes the MINI Countryman differ to the 2011 Mini Cooper S is its weight. You see, the 2011 Mini Cooper S weighs 1140kg, the MINI Cooper S Countryman weighs about 1310kg, that's 170kg heavier than the original despite they're both equipped with the 1.6L engine that produces 181HP of power and 177.2ft-lb of torque.

Stig takes a day-off with the Mini Countryman in Italy

Yes! Stig's coming home!

For a pint-sized crossover, the MINI Countryman is all about being adventurous and with that being featured in Gran Turismo 5, I wonder what adventures will the Countryman take, especially when it takes on the top speed at Special Stage Route X or set a lap time at the Top Gear Test Track! When your online players saw your Countryman, they'll think you're more annoying than orange! 

I'm glad that this is the first time driving the MINI Countryman right here on GT5, and that made me as adventurous as an explorer. MINI's first 4-door crossover is definitely big reason why you're calling it the "Hey Diddle Diddle" because you just want to find a dirt course to make a leap for it. Sadly though, this MINI Countryman is not track-ready and it needs some professional care to make it more fast and agile as the original MINI but a bit more sensible to annoy your pals.

Peugeot announces Le Mans withdrawal

Peugeot 908 HDi FAP - Team Peugeot Total

This is surely a bad news for those who are big fans of the 24 Hours of Le Mans because PSA Peugeot-Citroen announces its withdrawal at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, effective now, because of the financial troubles. It's a shame that the European Debt Crisis really put a massive toll on the French carmaker that is famous for its 908 HDi FAP Le Mans Prototype that won the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans against the Audi R10, following with another win with the 908 at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans.

PRESS RELEASE:

Peugeot brings down the curtain on its endurance programme so as to ensure the success of its numerous launches in 2012

After 14 victories in the last 16 races, including a double at the Le Mans 24 Hours 2009 as part of the ILMC championship won by Peugeot two years running, in 2010 and 2011, the Brand has decided to close its 2012 endurance programme and will not be taking part in the next Le Mans 24 Hours.

This decision has been taken against the backdrop of the challenging economic environment in Europe coupled with a particularly busy year for the Brand in terms of new vehicle launches. In this context, Peugeot prefers to concentrate its 2012 resources on its commercial performance and, in particular, ensuring the successful launches of the 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 508 RXH, 508 HYbrid4 and 4008 which will take forward the Brand's strategy of moving upmarket and extending its global presence. In keeping with its social responsibility obligations and as part of the GPEC (forward management of jobs and skills) agreement signed by 5 trade unions, all of the employees concerned will be offered redeployment solutions within the Group thanks to a special system set up to oversee and lead occupational training/retraining as well as internal mobility.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/peugeot-exiting-le-mans-racing-effective-immediately/

*Photo shown for illustrative purposes only