Challenger SRT8 now in the Philippines

2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8

In response to Chevy selling the Camaro modern muscle car to the Philippines, it seems that CATS Motors is joining the muscle car war with the launch of the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Challenger SRT8 is a Dodge Challenger powered by Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT). It comes with a powerful 6.4L HEMI V8 engine that produces 470HP of power and 637Nm of torque. Available transmission types were a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed paddle shift transmission. Also, it promises 9.8km/L of fuel economy thanks to the engine's Fuel Saver technology, available only on the AT variants. Prices start at 3,950,000 Philippine Pesos so better get this American sports car that was built by people who love cars for people who really love cars. WE LOVE CARS!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/cats-motors-brings-in-dodge-challenger-srt8

[Obituary] MOMO founder Gianpiero Moretti

MOMO logo

It was a sad day for us, petrolheads, because the founder of MOMO, Gianpiero Moretti, passed away at the age of 71. As we're sure you know, MOMO is an Italian brand famous for making steering wheels and sometimes the rims. In his twenties, Gianpiero Moretti created steering wheels that amassed a success after Ferrari factory driver John Surtees adopted a MOMO wheel in his 158 F1 racing car in 1964.

Farewell, Mr. MOMO

Gianpiero Moretti (1941-2012)

Scoop: http://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/momo-founder-passes-away.html

BMW Z8 tuning by Senner Tuning

Senner Tuning BMW Z8

A memorable BMW roadster, the BMW Z8, got a new lease of life thanks to the tuning done by Senner Tuning. This modified Z8 is packed with a sports filter, custom exhaust system, and ECU upgrades, it reaches 450hp of power and 535Nm of torque with a flat-out of over 300kph.

Also, Senner Tuning added a Variant 2 Inox-Line coilover kitwith an adjustable rebound and new front strut bar, Racing Gold varnished brake calipers, and 19-inch rims to complete this modification the Z8 deserves. Take that, BMW Alpina Z8! :-P

The Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg Agera

Oh come on. Don't worry. That's just a joke. Of course I can spell "Koenigsegg" correctly because if the Koenigsegg Agera's got featured in Top Gear and once The Stig lapped this, it may end up looking like this on their lap board:

"Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg Agera"

Whoa! Just like what happened on the past models tested on Top Gear such as CC8S and the CCX (notable for Stig's accident round the Top Gear Test Track).

Agera vs. CCX at the Ring

So what is the Koenigsegg Agera? At first glance, the Koenigsegg Agera is the spiritual successor of the "Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg" CCX and when I say spiritual, there is some "ghost" badge located at the Agera's 5.0L twin-turbo engine that produces 940HP of power. If performance is getting a bit more better, it's somewhat as powerful as the Bugatti Veyron or a Ferrari Enzo. No wait, the Agera is somewhat lighter than the Veyron but it's a bit heavier than the Ferrari Enzo, so there's a bit of a gap if I'm honest.

Agera for another Top Gear episode

Of course, as I'm sure you know, this car is part of the Launch Bonus Pack, a bonus available for those who've preordered Forza 4 before the release but it's too late. If you think you're too late for that, don't worry because thanks to the Launch Bonus Pack became available for the public for just 560 MS Points, you can now try the ultimate Koenigsegg ever built to satisfy your passion for cars.

As our passion for cars keeps on burning through our veins thanks to continuous gameplay of Forza 4, the Koenigsegg Agera served as a perfect example of "car passion" on this game. I once tried it round the Top Gear Test Track and it was made to be somewhat faster than the "Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg CCX with Top Gear wing". I was thinking about 1:15.4, my personal best on this car, and yes, it was proven to be quicker than the CCX but a bit problematic than my seriously problematic Pagani Huayra. Who cares?

The Agera speeds through Japan

With the 1,400,000 CR pricing, it maybe seem to be difficult to get the Agera but if you belong to a certain car club, your best bet is to borrow the Agera from your fellow car club member if you want to try it out on online races. However, if you have the allowance, you can buy the Koenigsegg Agera, tweak its performance figures, or even do a Top Gear Power Lap Time with your Agera. It may seem to be difficult to master the Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg (sorry again) Agera because of the speed that can't keep up with its handling but with practice, you have a Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg that has a force to be reckoned with.

Some say...he's taking a stroll in the Philippines...

Multiple reports said that racing driver and one of the presenters of Top Gear USA, Tanner Foust, was in the Philippines. But what? What would a Top Gear USA presenter do in the Philippines? No, he's not doing a part of the car chase sequences for the fourth Bourne movie but what would Tanner Foust do in the Philippines? Being part of the marketing for Rockstar Energy Drink in the Philippines because Rockstar is Tanner's sponsor on his motorsport activities?

Apparently, some say, that the official Facebook fan page for Rockstar Energy Drink Philippines has shared Tanner Foust's Facebook activity that says "Made it to the Philippines, watching the closing hours of Daytona 24. Ford is crushing!" and a picture of the room where he's at.

Some say, Tanner's at Makati City. Oh no. While we're not sure what would Tanner Foust do in the Philippines, let's just wait until this Top Gear USA presenter's making his move.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/top-gear-us-host-and-race-driver-tanner-foust-is-in-manila

Forza 4 announces February ALMS Pack

Because February is another ALMS season, Forza Motorsport 4, proud sponsor of the American Le Mans Series, has finally unveiled the February ALMS DLC Pack. This pack includes 10 new cars ranging from the Mazda 787B, Audi R18 TDi, Audi Sport quattro S1, Panoz #050 Panoz Racing Abruzzi, Alfa Romeo 155 Q4, 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R, HSV GTS, the new 2011 Polo GTi, as well as customized favorites such as the Platinum Motorsports Continental GT and Rampage Jackson's Dodge Challenger. This pack will be available worldwide this first Tuesday of February.

As I'm sure you know, the 787B finally made it on Forza 4. There's even the Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 because what players are going to do is transform it into the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Touring Car. HSV GTS? Wow. Even though the 2011 HSV GTS is sold in the U.K. as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS, this looks perfect because it was featured in Top Gear at the Movies DVD. For the first time, the all new Polo GTi has arrived and can't wait to get my hands on this.

Toyota Prius PHV (ZVW35)

2012 Toyota Prius PHV

Like the Chevrolet Volt, the Toyota Prius PHV has a similar idea that goes "gasoline when you need it, electric when you want it". It served as Toyota's first gas-electric vehicle that you can either refuel it with petrol or recharge it at home. It maybe not in the same league as the Nissan Leaf but this Prius PHV is the ultimate eco-car for the masses.

If the Prius PHV runs on gasoline, it will take advantage of the 2ZR-FXE engine, that produces a normal 99PS of power with 142Nm of torque, capable of accumulating a fuel economy of 31.6km/L (74MPG) based on Japan's JC08 test cycle. If the driver switches from HV Mode to "EV Mode", only the 3JM electric motor kicks in as well as the new Lithium-ion Battery that is proven to be more useful than the conventional nickel metal hydride battery. Of course, the first Toyota hybrid to imply a lithium-ion battery was the 7-seater variant of the Toyota Prius Alpha MPV. The Prius PHV was the second Toyota to use that battery and who knows, in the future, most car companies are switching to Lithium-ion batteries because it is proven to be more useful and a better range for all.

Anyway, the 3JM electric motor produces 60kW of power and 207Nm of torque. Therefore, it will have a fuel economy of 61.0km/L (144MPG) based on Japan's JC08 test cycle with a top speed of 100kph (60mph). So, in Top Gear math, that's twice as efficient as the Chevrolet Volt or a Nissan Leaf, but again, they're not on the same league.

If you have a smartphone, you can keep in touch about what's happening to your Prius PHV via eConnect and Toyota Friend. First, the eConnect allows you to monitor the Prius PHV's charging status, find nearest charging stations, access ESPO, or even use the remote aircon to turn on or off the Prius PHV's aircon while you and the PHV are far away. The Toyota Friend gains access to the social network of Prius PHV owners.

When you say charging time, we say that the Prius PHV's Li-ion battery takes about 90 minutes of charge via AC200V, while it will go for about 180 minutes of full charge via AC100V.

There are eight colors available for the Prius PHV: Super White II, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, Red Mica Metallic, Frosty Green Mica, Dark Blue Mica, and True Blue Mica Metallic.

My comment:
This is the first time Toyota come up with a car that is fully dependent on gasoline and electricity just like the Chevrolet Volt. The Prius PHV is the ultimate eco-car made for everyone who wants to buy an efficient vehicle in times of the current environment, economy, problems at the Middle East, and the relentless war on speed. Is there room for the PHV in the Philippines? No...Not yet...

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Of scary-sounding sliding doors and surprises...

Hello everyone. It's me again, Leopaul.

Earlier, when I joined my daddy to take my Lolo and Lola to the Group Health Medical Center at Broadway, Seattle for some checkup, I just notice something strange about the sliding door at the North Building of the Group Health Medical Center...

When the door slides, that sound coming from the sliding door is like a panther roaring. I never thought that this sliding door from Group Health medical center has a sound of a wild animal. Now that's scary. Hope some mechanics better fix that sliding door from the Group Health North Building or there will be some serious trouble that people think that there's a wild animal at the hospital.

Okay, enough of that scary sliding door from Group Health North Building at Broadway, Seattle for now. Also earlier, I saw something even better...

This is the 2012 Subaru Impreza G4. When I said G4, no. It's not G4U. It's not THE IDOLM@STER G4U. This is G4. Subaru Impreza G4. A few moments ago, I just saw the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport just a few blocks near my home but here, this G4 looks good. It looks more like a decent competitor to the Mazda Axela sedan, I think....

While peeking on the Impreza G4, we were taking too long at a parking garage until Daddy gets my Ate Elise. It's 4:00PM. I got to go to Seattle Central before 5:00PM because I have a class. When Daddy came back with my Ate Elise, I went to school. By 9:30PM, I left school and when I went home, I came into this.

This is it. SUDA 51's SDATCHER -Inspired by SNATCHER-. A drama CD in collaboration between Kojima Productions and Goichi Suda, the man behind the No More Heroes fame. I bought it via CDJapan and I put most of it on my iPod Touch for convenience. By now, I should be listening to the whole story...

Thanks for reading!

The McLaren F1 in Forza Motorsport 4

Doing like what The Stig does...

The McLaren F1 costs half-a-million Pounds when it came out in the public in 1993, and an engine bay lined in gold, essential driving position, and more power than you can ever imagine. It has a top speed of over 240mph, making it the fastest production car in the 1990's, serving this as an inspiration for Bugatti to create the Veyron. If the McLaren F1 didn't exists, the Bugatti Veyron was not existed. Unlike the Bugatti Veyron, the McLaren F1's 6.1L V12 BMW engine is Naturally Aspirated. It does not have safety features such as traction control and anti-lock brakes, making it one heck of a dangerous ride if you're not careful but who cares? This is the first carbon fiber bodied car. Of course, if you don't mind, I would be heading to the Police Box (Doctor Who's time machine) and go back to the 1990's when Top Gear was a bit more boring, Jeremy Clarkson's hair was still black and a little bit more afro, The Stig wasn't born yet, and of course, the old Top Gear presenters are far too many.

It was featured in "old" Top Gear when Tiff Needell test drives the McLaren F1 round the Millbrook  Proving Grounds in Bedfordshire. Although, Tiff Needell was impressed by the McLaren F1's performance, I disagreed however on his opinions. Besides, "old" Top Gear is boring and Top Gear with The Stig on it is better. Better to watch, better to re-enact, and better to laugh at. Okay, in the Series 13 episode of Top Gear, the McLaren F1 faces off against the Bugatti Veyron in a drag race in Abu Dhabi. As a matter of fact, the McLaren F1 has a better 0-60 time but the Veyron is better in a flat-out.

The McLaren F1's butterfly-type doors

Hey! I was right! There was
a Kenwood on it!

The McLaren F1 makes it a perfect debutante in Forza Motorsport 4. Not only you can race with it, you can also explore more about the wondrous facts about the McLaren F1 via Autovista or even hear Jeremy Clarkson's comments about the McLaren F1. This is the sportscar that was built without compromise.

Showtime to be renamed as "It's Showtime", replacing HYY this February!

If you think you've seen the last of this unkabogable TV show you often watched on ABS-CBN every mornings, titled SHOWTIME, don't worry because this unkabogable TV show will return as the new noontime show that will replace Happy Yipee Yehey, this February 6. That's right, madlang people. Showtime will be renamed as "IT'S SHOWTIME".

Refined, recharged, and reloaded, IT'S SHOWTIME will be proven to be even more better than the original and it will pack more segments that they will never stop the madlang people from being happy. The original Showtime presenters such as Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kuya Kim Atienza, Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford, Karylle, Jugs and Teddy returned and there will be new presenters on IT'S SHOWTIME such as "Sample King" Jhong Hilario, and all-time favorites such as Ryan Bang and Coleen Garcia.

To be honest, I'm glad that they never left. That was a big surprise to keep the show alive and kicking!

Scoop: http://www.push.com.ph/features/4456/abs-cbn-official-statement-on-new-noontime-show-its-showtime/

GT5 meets Aston Martin's most exhilarating sports car

Song played in my Personal BGM: LOST by Yukiho Hagiwara (CV: Azumi Asakura)

From the album: THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 2 -FIRST SEASON- 07 Yukiho Hagiwara

Re-attempting the sad ending from Top Gear Series 13

If you watched the finale of BBC's Top Gear Series 13, this is how they end the 13th season with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, with Jeremy Clarkson on it. Even when Jeremy Clarkson said that the V12 Vantage is "wonderful, wonderful, wonderful", the Series 13 ending made me sad, very very sad and it made me cried at the end. Don't worry though, even it made the viewers cried at the Series 13 ending, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage unleashed its fury when it was featured at Jeremy Clarkson's DVD titled "Duel". When Jeremy Clarkson asks, "Which is faster? A car or a man?", the V12 Vantage duels against a very fast rugby player. We thought that the Aston Martin doesn't stand a chance against the rugby player's speed but it did, barely.

Plenty of smoke but no cider...

I really don't need to be sad right now because even though I am utterly familiar about the V12 Vantage, Aston Martin's most exhilarating sports car has arrived on Gran Turismo 5 via DLC, which is available now. For a quick refresh, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage was revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and it is equipped with a 6.0L V12 engine, producing 510bhp of power and 570Nm of torque. It achieves a 0-60m time of 4.2 seconds and 190mph of top speed. Even though the V12 Vantage still carries Aston Martin's tagline "Power, Beauty, Soul", it's still has a long way around. It may have the beauty and the soul but does it have the power?

The V12 Vantage logo

A well-designed exterior seems to be enough for
the V12 Vantage

Never mind, but what about the way it moves? When I drift the V12 Vantage, it's simple; Plenty of smoke but no cider. Even if you leave as much white smoke coming from the tires, it's taking a hard time power-sliding through the corners but still it corners well. This is much more better than the DB9 thanks to the power and weight. Weight? Oh yeah right. While the 2006 DB9 Coupe weighs about 1710kg, the V12 Vantage weighs about 1680kg. Impressive...

We caught The Stig going to the pub.

This car is a complete masterpiece and this is one of the most beautiful beasts I have ever tried on this game. Getting familiarized with the V12 Vantage is one too many because you already tried this one on other video games that featured this one but here on Gran Turismo 5, it's all about starting over from scratch when you get behind the wheel of the V12 Vantage.

Renault Twingo II - Phase II

When the second-generation Renault Twingo was released in 2007, this nippy little rascal is proven to be "99% serious" because it was proven to be more serious than being too cute. For the 2012 model year, the second-generation Twingo is getting a "99% serious" facelift make it even more serious than the previous one.

2012 Renault Twingo

For this minor change, the 2012 Twingo received an all-new look, the first to imply Renault's new design language that will imply on all future Renault models carrying that look as seen on concept cars. As a matter of fact, the front and rear design is all new and this new look makes it even more serious than the previous model. What's new for the Twingo's minor change is personalization. For the first time, customers can personalize the 2012 Twingo the way they want with various vinyls, side mirror colors, or even an available "canvas top" option.

2012 Renault Twingo interior

There are some minor tweaks on the interior of the 2012 Renault Twingo thanks to the choice of new audio systems especially the new one that serves as a docking station for your iPhone and permits the use of the GPS navigation system thanks to Renault's iPhone app. This app uses Bluetooth to communicate with the car and analyses the driver's 'eco-driving' behavior in real time. Like the exterior, the interior of the new Twingo can be personalized just the way you want, making it unique for you. Still, this is a 4-seater hatchback and the rear that made me think that it has enough space for Ross Kemp to fit in but forget about the whole Ross Kemp thing because Jeremy Clarkson drowned him in his "Sensible" Twingo Test in one episode of Top Gear.

There are numerous engines available for the New Twingo such as the 1.2 LEV 16V 75, dCi 75, dCi 85, and a 1.2 16V 75 engine. The engine available exclusively for the Twingo Gordini is a TCe 100 engine. That engine produces 100ps of power and it has a top speed of 185kph. To explain more about the 1.2 LEV 16V 75 engine available on the entry-level variant, some say that this engine has a CO2 emission of 105g/km, combined fuel economy of 22.2km/L (4.5L/100km), and 169kph of top speed. Most engines are certified to be Euro5 compliant and they're fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission on most models.

Six colors are available on the new Twingo; Bleu majorelle, Brun Cajou, Fuschia, Gris Platine, Noir Nacré, and Bleu Malte.

My comment:
As the Twingo gets even more serious, there will be even more serious customers shopping for this nippy little French 3-door hatchback that competes against the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1. If you own one, just one word; try not to attempt Jeremy Clarkson's ridiculous moments you saw on Top Gear's sensible Twingo test because this could lead in some serious trouble. I had no idea what happened to Ross Kemp...

Photo: Renault