Porsche returns on Forza 4 this May!

Porsche Expansion Pack

Time now for the news and this is great news! A news for those to warm the hearts of the Forza Faithfuls. PORSCHE IS BACK!

That announcement really render them speechless like Jeremy Clarkson lost his voice! Porsche returns on Forza Motorsport 4 this May 22, 2012 with the Porsche Expansion Pack. This pack contains 30 Porsche cars. Most of these will be familiar but the seven out of the 30 Porsche models on this mega DLC pack will be brand new but what could it be? The 918 RSR? The GT3 RS 4.0? The new Cayenne Turbo? Or possibly the 991? We can't tell but this Porsche DLC Pack will be available this May for 1600 MSP ($19.99).

Firstly, we thought Porsche will not be featured due to EA exclusivity but thankfully, Turn 10 stood up and they finally featured Porsche again. I just hope that Turn 10 and EA are the only ones to feature Porsche.

Aside from that, Porsche-related challenges will be offered as well as new Porsche-related Achievements to collect.

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

What's more, there's a new Forza coming soon. What's that? Some say it's tentatively called Forza Horizon. Check that clip:

Renault Samsung to launch SM3 Bose Edition this March 16

SM3 White Ibiza Party

Got a note from Renault Samsung Motor's official Facebook fan page. It seems that Renault Samsung will be releasing an SM3 Bose Edition this March 16, 2012. Not much info left but it will showcase at the SM3 White Ibiza Party this March 16, 2012.

URL: http://on.fb.me/SM3_Party

This Superleggera is different from the old one...

As a proud owner of Forza Motorsport 4 Limited Collector's Edition, I got a privilege to drive this, the most lightest Lamborghini ever built.

LP570-4 Superleggera's moment to shine

This is the Lamborghini...Gallardo...LP570-4...Superleggera. It has, by far away, the longest name in the world, but when I watched the first episode of Top Gear USA, it has been proven that in a straight line, The Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera is faster than the Lamborghini Murcielago SV. Needless to say, this car was featured on Jeremy Clarkson's 2010 DVD titled "Clarkson: The Italian Job" and described it as "a great version of a great car" but it's not really a track-day car. Also, it's less racy than the old Superleggera.

It's hopeless to drift a mid-engine 4WD car

I disagree, however, because this Gallardo is more good-looking than the old Gallardo. The hint of the front view and the rear view is what matters because the differences between the old Gallardo and the new Gallardo is somewhat easy. Because it is 4WD, the launch can be somewhat bogged out but in the corners, it's somewhat stable, especially with the traction control off. Oh wait, if you're not careful, your new Superleggera will get flung out like a slingshot.

Under the hood, it comes with the same 5.2L V10 engine you get from the LP560-4 but it has been tweaked by 10 horses, providing a maximum power output of 570PS and torque output of 398lb-ft. It can do naught to 60 in 3.4 seconds and flatout, it can do 202mph. That's exactly as similar as what you get from the Ferrari 458 Italia but both the LP570-4 and the 458 are not in the same league. Try competing that with the 599 GTO and this would be somewhat interesting...

Old Superleggera vs. New Superleggera

Unlike the 458 Italia, which has a double-clutch transmission, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera doesn't have that because it has a e-gear transmission that shifts through its six gears extremely smoothly and far more quickly than could be achieved by human reflexes. As a general rule, I'm highly bothered by those cars that come with flappy-paddle gearboxes because I can't come quicker than what I was expected. A car mated with an automatic transmission is like a rated G show. If it comes with a flappy-paddle gearbox, it's rated PG. And if it's a manual with 3 pedals under your foot, it's rated SPG. This car then is rated PG. Please don't blame me but this is my point of view for different kinds of transmissions in the motoring world.

Now where's James May's caravan blimp?!

Those FM4 VIPs who drove a LP570-4 Superleggera has a knack of turning this into a Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni. I was one of them. I covered the "Superleggera" vinyl and design it with some Balboni credentials on it. Also, I stripped off it's 4WD drivetrain and turning into a MR exotic. Yep, I turned it into a rear-wheel drive Gallardo by my own hands and it's possible to turn the LP570-4's drivetrain from 4WD to RWD at the Upgrade Shop. When I drive this one with RWD setup, it's somewhat hard at first but it left me a good smile on my face. A shift from 4WD to 2WD for the Gallardo LP570 is a somewhat a good strategy if you want this car to be more drift-happy rather than a 4WD exotic that is focused on the grip but that's just the half of the story.

Welcome Back: 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Not possibly a good Driving Heaven but whatever...

Away from the clattering "dig-dig-dig-dig-dig-dig" sounds of hell and to the sounds of heaven, the old Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera returned on Forza Motorsport 4 and to avoid any confusion to the current Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera (a VIP only car), a true Forza player knows the difference between the old Superleggera and the current Superleggera, but still this is the kind of car you would love to drive if you want to find your own "Driving Heaven" on Forza Motorsport 4, much like when Jeremy Clarkson drove this one on the presenters' quest to find the world's greatest driving road, which is the Stelvio Pass.

However, this car is just like a game of Tetris; very dull, very boring, and most of all, it made me unhappy to drive the old Superleggera until my VIP membership payed off for having me taking behind the wheel of the LP570-4 Superleggera, which I'll be tackling next.

Today, the old Superleggera is a modern classic car because with over a hundred units ever made since production ended in 2008, making it a very rare vehicle to see one passing by, all of your life.

Now, the old Superleggera is listed as a Unicorn Car, a car that you can't get it through numerous reasons because you have to get it on promotional reasons. For instance, you have to take part of a special contests held at Forzamotorsport.net Forums such as the Official Forza Motorsport 4 Fantasy Livery Contest, Official Forza Motorsport 4 Race/Replica Livery Contest, or The Official Forza Motorsport 4 Photo Mode Competition. If your entry is chosen to be a Turn 10 Pick, you have much chances to win that car.

Mido is the best milk!

Okay, what's up from the March 4, 2012, episode of the now-rated-SPG Lokomoko?

- Jungle gags

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Kung ang INA ang ilaw ng tahanan, pumapatak din ba siya sa metro ng kuryente?

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Kapag ninakaw ba ng may-ari ang gamit na ninakaw sa kanya, magnanakaw na rin siya?

- Lokomersyal in Mido Milk! Mido Milk is the best milk ever!

Mido Milk

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Pang bading lang ba ang parlor games?

- Some traitors are around the Katipunan...

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Kung ang saging may puso, nasasaktan din ba ang kanyang damdamin?

- Who's Line Is It...Anyhow?!

1) You blew me away on your special day - Birthday Cake

2) Forever na lang ba akong magbabantay ng bukid? - Scarecrow

3) Ale, nasa langit na ba ako? Boss, kayo po ba si San Pedro? - Rugby Boy

4) Bakit gustong gusto mo ako kainin pero hindi mo naman ako kayang lunukin? - Chess Piece

5) Pinag-aagawan niyo ba ako para matira niyo lang ako? - Bola ng basketball

6) Bakit ba lahat nalang gusto niyong masagap ko? - Antenna

7) Time, I've been passing time, watching trains go by. All of my life... - Guard sa MRT

Forza 4 meets Audi ultra lightweight technology; The Audi R18 TDI

Outta my way, Peugeot! You're no longer belong at Le Mans!

Diesels are now the stalwarts of the 24 Hours of Le Mans because petrol can't keep up with today's happenings such as the environment, economy, and tensions from the Middle East. With the rivalrly between Peugeot and Audi are getting a bit hotter on Le Mans over the years, this is the kind of Audi LMP that trounced the Peugeot last year and therefore, Peugeot no longer being a part of the Le Mans 2012 season at Circuit de la Sarthe. What you're looking now is Audi ultra lightweight technology, the Audi R18 TDI.

Three kings of Sebring

Positioned as the stalwart of Forza Motorsport 4's February ALMS Pack, players got themselves the first time getting behind the wheel of the Audi R18 TDi, but to be specific, the Team Joest #2 Audi R18 which was driven by drivers Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer. The R18 TDi that stayed on to the very end of the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans season, getting it's first win and continues Audi's reign at Le Mans. Like the Peugeot 908 HDi, it's a diesel LMP so you might be expecting some clattering "dig-dig-dig-dig-dig-dig" sounds of hell but thanks to such lightweight technology, the R18 TDi is surprisingly lighter than the other Audi LMPs on the game, above all, it's lighter than the outgoing Peugeot 908 TDi, which we will no longer see it on the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans season.

A Le Mans Prototype that is as light as a buttercup

Under the bonnet, the 3.7L TDi engine with a single Garrett TR30R VGT turbocharger produces 540HP of power and 664lb-ft of torque. What we're realizing that the R18 TDi is not quite as powerful as the Audi LMPs in the past, and above all, not powerful enough than our absolute favorite LMP from the past, the rotary-powered Mazda 787B.

It can do 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds, that's about the same time as my absolute favorite supercar, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and flatout, it can do 207MPH, so there's gonna be some chase here. For stopping power, the Audi R18 TDi will halt from 100mph to nothing in 201ft.

Audi R18 TDi making "tambay" at the Top Gear studio

There is somewhat a familiar story about the R18 TDi because it was participated in other races such as the 1000km Spa round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Imola 6 Hours, Silverstone 6 Hours, Petit Le Mans, and China 6 Hours. Originally, the R18 TDi want to take part at the Sebring 12 Hours but due to development and logistics, the R18 wasn't take part at Sebring but instead, Audi used two Audi R15+ machines. It's a bit of a history lesson but doesn't matter. What matters is that we played with the R18 TDi on Forza Motorsport 4 and the Audi ultra lightweight technology makes it an ace of its sleeves against your rivals.

Welcome Back: 2006 Koenigsegg CCX

Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg CCX with Top Gear wing

Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg CCX interior

Close Call! I thought you may end up the same fate as Stig's!

The Koenigsegg CCX is definitely one of the most dangerous rides you would love to risk on this game. This car may have the longest name in the lap board (Koenigseggisseggggnignigsegigisegggg CCX) and this is the car The Stig has ever stuffed.

The Koenigsegg CCX comes with a body made of carbon fiber, a 4.7L twin-supercharged engine that produces 806HP, and a drag coefficient of a fish. Yep, Jeremy Clarkson said that and this was proven to be more addicting than smoking cigarettes. Because this car has no Traction Control, there's going to be a risk there. When The Stig lapped the CCX round the Top Gear Test Track in 1:20.4, Stig said that he can do faster than that, so he does it again and suddenly while he was at the Follow-Through, he manages to correct the steering but it doesn't have enough track for this car, resulting to a major accident.

Stig believed that if the CCX has a rear spoiler, it would corner well, and therefore, Koenigsegg got the memo and equipped the CCX with a rear spoiler, resulting a new record of 1:17.6, beating the Zonda F's lap time.

The CCX returned on Forza Motorsport 4 and it was one of the cars featured on the game's Autovista feature where you can learn some facts about the CCX or hear Jeremy Clarkson's commentary about the CCX. Be warned that the CCX is highly dangerous to drive for an unskilled player but if only someone who's as brave as The Stig should be wise to choose it.

Spotlight: 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z (Community Bounty Hunter -sinnermac-)

2003 Nissan Fairlady Z Community Bounty Hunter edition

What you're looking here is a 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z customized by FM4 player sinnermac. His design showcased the bounty hunters of Star Wars such as Jango Fett and Boba Fett. It was selected as the Bounty Hunter prize car for those who beat sinnermac's time at the "Compact Combat" Community Monthly Rival challenge. Those people who beaten sinnermac's time of "00:12.100" at that challenge got rewarded with the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z modified by sinnermac. I beat sinnermac with a lap time of 00:11.967 using a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi with some modifications I bought from the storefront that says it can be faster than sinnermac's.

With the Community Bounty Hunter against sinnermac's Compact Combat lap time round and over, seems that I don't need the tuning setup I bought at the storefront and I decided to tune my Rabbit GTi by myself. But anyway, I'll surely keep sinnermac's Z33 with Star Wars Bounty Hunters design as a prize. I would gladly thank sinnermac for this challenge.

Anyone else who beat sinnermac got this?

Let's Do The News (March 3, 2012)

Time now for the news!

Let's begin with a very interesting one. You know that there are a few Formula One drivers defected to other motorsports. Juan Pablo Montoya used to be an F1 driver but now he's involved on NASCAR. Today, F1 driver Rubens Barrichello is defected to IndyCar, just like the other F1 graduates such as Nigel Mansell, Takuma Sato, Sebastien Bourdais, and Jean Alesi.

Good thing that Rubens Barrichello is finally retired from his F1 racing and moving on to the IndyCar, fighting alongside with IZOD IndyCar racer, Tony Kanaan, for KV Racing Technology for the 2012 IndyCar season.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/rubens-barrichello-shifting-from-f1-to-indy/

Well, now that Rubens Barrichello is now an F1 graduate and moving on to IndyCar, let's check out something interesting....OH MY!

Chevrolet Volt

Because of poor sales, General Motors will stop production of the Chevrolet Volt PHV and the Opel Ampera for five weeks! Really? Why would they pause production of these PHVs? Oh wait, let me guess, General Motors need to maintain the right inventory levels and continue to meet demand, right? Looks like the Chevrolet Volt's having a hard sell eh? Too difficult to sell in the States...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/gm-to-halt-chevy-volt-production.html

Well, to put this misery, let's move to the next one and this will enlighten the hearts of many...

PEUGEOT RETURNS TO THE PHILIPPINES!!!!

Yes, the French automaker deserved a second chance of life in the Philippines and it's now under the management of the same group behind BMW and Kia, Columbian Motors. They'll be looking for it's 2% share in the Philippine market with the Peugeot lineup such as the 3008 crossover, 5008 minivan, 508 sedan, 308CC, and the RCZ sports coupe.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/it-s-official-peugeot-is-back-in-the-philippines

Gosh, I hope their pricing would be so okay, not like the last time their pricing looks horrible. Anyway, moving on...

Land Rover produced the 1-millionth Discovery (LR4) SUV at its Solihull plant in Birmingham, UK and to celebrate, they'll be ready for the millionth Discovery's epic journey from UK, Russia, and China. This would be as exciting as the original Overland Expedition in 1955!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/one-millionth-land-rover-discovery-to-drive-from-england-to-china

How's that to be more epic for the one-millionth LR4?

Actor Charlie Sheen endorses the Fiat 500 Abarth! Wow! How's life being a person who's on house arrest? On this ad, THIS RULES!

And that's the news!

SLS AMG tuning by Wheelsandmore

Wheelsandmore SLS AMG

After Wheelsandmore modified the McLaren MP4-12C, their next car on their tuning portfolio is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. 

For this modification, Wheelsandmore updated the SLS AMG's software, therefore it provides 610PS of power and top speed of 323kph. That costs 3,000 Euros but you may need 2,500 Euros to get a tachometer that measures up to 400kph. For 10,841 Euros, Wheelsandmore will provide you some tuned exhaust system with special manifolds and sports catalysts, providing a 20hp increase.

Some extras include some adjustable suspension, and a choice of 20 or 21-inch rims with an optional gold-plated Swarovski cystal-finished spokes.

Scoop: http://www.auto-news.de/tuning/anzeige_Wheelsandmore-Mercedes-SLS-AMG-Fluegel-fuer-den-Fluegeltuerer_id_31712

Sakura Iro Sotsugyou｜BareBare Valentine

Sakura Iro Sotsugyou｜BareBare Valentine

The latest maxi-single from a fan favorite from The World God Only Knows (日本名：神のみぞ知るセカイ), Kanon Nakagawa, is served as a birthday present for her because Kanon Nakagawa's birthday was March 3! It seems that Kanon Nakagawa's very happy and therefore I was going to kiss the poster that has the picture of Kanon Nakagawa on it, literally.

This all new album features two new Kanon Nakagawa songs fans would love to enjoy such as Sakura Iro Sotsugyou and BareBare Valentine. There was a piano version of Sakura Iro Sotsugyou and some "minus one" versions of those two titular songs, plus the piano version, giving a total of six tracks.

For launch bonus, there was an alternate case with a picture of Kanon Nakagawa holding a heart-shaped chocolate that says "I ♥ You" on it.

Surely, Valentine's Day is over but with this new maxi single courtesy of Nao Toyama as Kanon Nakagawa, everyday is Valentine's Day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KANON NAKAGAWA!!!!

Track Listings:

01 桜色卒業
02 バレバレ・バレンタイン
03 桜色卒業 ピアノ伴奏
04 桜色卒業（Instrumental）
05 バレバレ・バレンタイン（Instrumental）
06 桜色卒業 ピアノ伴奏（Instrumental）

For international customers:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=GNCA-214

MINI Roadster

2013 Mini Roadster

There was already a convertible variant for the Mini, which is the MINI CABRIO, but who would need another open-top MINI on their lineup anyway? The all new Mini Roadster is somewhat the same as the Mini Cabrio but instead of a four-seater layout, the Mini Roadster has two seats! TWO SEATS! That makes the Mini Roadster different than the Mini Cabrio! The Mini Roadster has rivals on its sleeves such as the Renault Wind and the Mazda Roadster.

It's actually the drop-top version of last year's Mini Coupe and the result is 20 millimeters lower than the Mini Cabrio as this new model cuts a distinctive, low-slung and elegantly stretched figure from the side. Unlike modern roadsters, the black soft-top roof can be folded by hand, not by machine, but on the plus side, closing or open the roof manually saves time rather that waiting for 10 to 20 seconds to close or open the roof automatically.

On the inside, there goes the same old Mini interior but with the black interior, it was made to be road-focused and avoiding the driver of getting distracted by something that attracts him or her, especially the combination of upholstery variant, trim elements and Color Lines chosen by the MINI Roadster owner.

Firstly, the entry-level of the range was the Mini Cooper Roadster, the most economical variant was the Mini Cooper SD Roadster, and the sportiest model was the Mini Cooper S Roadster. Those variants have a choice of a 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed manual transmission. Because I can't take this too long, here are the specs of each variants;

MINI Cooper S Roadster
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 135 kW/184 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. torque: 240 Nm/177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 rpm (260 Nm/192 lb-ft with Overboost at 1,730-4,500 rpm)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 7.0 seconds
Top speed: 227 km/h (141 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 6.0 l/100 km (47.1 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 139 g/km

MINI Cooper Roadster
Four-cylinder petrol engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group's VALVETRONIC technology
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 90 kW/122 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 160 Nm/118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 9.2 seconds
Top speed: 199 km/h (124 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.7 l/100 km (49.6 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 133 g/km

MINI Cooper SD Roadster
Four-cylinder turbodiesel with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology
Displacement: 1,995 cc
Power Output: 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm
Max. torque: 305 Nm/225 lb-ft at 1,750-2,700 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 8.1 seconds
Top speed: 212 km/h (132 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 4.5 l/100 km (62.8 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 118 g/km

If you're not interested in those, consider this, the JCW (John Cooper Works) version of the Mini Roadster.

2013 Mini John Cooper Works Roadster

Being the latest of Mini's John Cooper Works range that consist of the original, JCW Cabrio, JCW Clubman, JCW Coupe, and the upcoming JCW Countryman, the new JCW Roadster has go-kart agility with a turbocharged engine, which sounds perfect to mess around your neighbors.

SPECS:
Four-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology and numerous technological details carried over directly from motor sport
Displacement: 1,598 cc
Power Output: 155 kW/211 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque: 260 Nm/192 lb-ft at 1,850-5,600 rpm (280 Nm/207 lb-ft with Overboost at 2,000-5,100 rpm)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.5 seconds
Top speed: 237 km/h (147 mph)
Average fuel consumption according to EU: 7.3 l/100 km (38.7 mpg imp)
CO2 emissions: 169 g/km

Colors Available for the Mini Roadster such as Chili Red, Pepper White, British Racing Green II, Eclipse Grey, Lightning Blue, Midnight Black, Spice Orange, White Silver, and Reef Blue.

My comment:
It wasn't a good idea to have another convertible model with the same size as the Mini Cabrio but the Mini Roadster is somewhat known to be the Cabrio's evil twin because it was highly a soft-top version of the Mini Coupe. Because it has two seats, this car was made for the singles who want to take their girls to a date at a five-star restaurant. The Mini Roadster is a silly addition of the Mini range but it does pack some serious performance. Well, another day, another adventure...

Photo: MINI