Toyota Pixis Epoch

2013 Toyota Pixis Epoch

2013 Toyota Pixis Epoch

This is the fourth member of Toyota's new PIXIS kei car range. The first Toyota Pixis, the Pixis Space, is much more of a Toyota equivalent of the Daihatsu Move Conte. Pixis number 2 and 3 were the Pixis Truck and Pixis Van which are essentially a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Hijet Van. And now we have this, the fourth Pixis, which is essentially a rebadged version of Daihatsu's most fuel efficient car on the market today which is more fuel efficient than the Mazda Demio 13-SKYACTIV but now overshadowed by the Suzuki Alto Eco, the Daihatsu Mira e:S.

It has the special KF engine that accumulates 52PS/6800rpm of power output and 60Nm/5200rpm of torque output. It even comes with a CVT for optimized fuel economy and smooth driving. The fuel economy of the Pixis Epoch (ピクシス エポック) is 30.0km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode test cycle thanks to the Eco Idle (Idle Stop and Go) system, newly developed i-EGR (ion controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system (that applies the ion current combustion control, in which ions in the combustion chamber are used to identify the state of combustion, to EGR control), lighter bodywork, thermal management, and Eco power generation control (with regenerative braking functions).

Available colors are Sky Blue, Shell Rose, Cotton Ivory, Plum Brown Crystal Mica, Black Mica Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic, Pearl White III, and White.

My comment:

In essence then, the all new 2013 Toyota Pixis Epoch is just a rebadged version of the kei car that Bruce Willis endorses...

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

New Generation Daihatsu Altis (AVV50N)

After a two year hiatus, the Daihatsu equivalent of the Toyota Camry, the Altis, is back and this time, it was based on the all new, hybrid-only Toyota Camry that was launched in Autumn last year. If you never heard about the Daihatsu Altis, you're not alone. Toyota owns Daihatsu, right? The Daihatsu Altis was launched in March 2000 and what Daihatsu do is throwing away Toyota badges in the 6th generation Camry. Same thing happened when the Altis went full model changes from 2001 and 2006 until in 2010, Daihatsu won't be selling the Altis because they fed up with this until now...

2013 Daihatsu Altis

2013 Daihatsu Altis

2013 Daihatsu Altis interior

This is still the current-generation hybrid-only Toyota Camry but replaced with Daihatsu badges on it. You still have the 2AR-FXE (2.5L DOHC Dual VVT-i) engine loaded with Toyota Hybrid System II, which produces a standard 160PS/6,000rpm of power output, 213Nm(21.7kg-m)/4,000rpm of torque output, and the fuel economy of 23.4km/L on JC08 Mode scale (26.5km/L on 10-15 Mode scale). One trivia that the 160PS power output can be increased up to 206PS once the 105kW 2JM electric motor is active. Like any other hybrids, the new Altis has EV Mode that keeps only the 2JM electric motor active rather than the 2AR-FXE engine for zero-emission driving. The CVT is the standard transmission offered for the new Camry for enhanced fuel economy and comfortable driving on winding roads.

Being a SU-LEV (Super Low Emission Vehicle) needs to be the safest, and the new Altis has the memo for that. It includes the finest safety features available such as Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake force Distribution, Pedestrian Warning system that emits noise on some pedestrians, including the blind, Hill Start Assist Control, Discharge Headlamps, 7 SRS airbags, and Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) for a reinforced bodywork.

Available in seven exterior colors such as White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Attitude Black Mica, Olive Mica Metallic, and True Blue Mica Metallic. It's available only in "HYBRID G PACKAGE" trim.

My comment:

What is the difference between Toyota Camry and Daihatsu Altis? Well, the only difference I can expect was the badges and that's it. Nothing. The same current Toyota Camry Hybrid, the same luxurious interior, the same 2AR-FXE engine, that's what I expect. Don't start asking what's the difference of these two because this Daihatsu Altis can only be find at your nearest Daihatsu dealer.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co, Ltd.

Welcome Back: 2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra

Are you the Ibiza Bocanegra?

This is one of my favorite cars returned on Forza Motorsport 4. It's a 2009 SEAT Ibiza Cupra and even though it comes from Spain, it's still comes from Volkswagen, which is German. The Ibiza Cupra has a striking exterior design, sporty on-board atmosphere, twin charger 180 hp 1.4 TSI engine, excellent traction capacity, and top-notch equipment that what makes it so special for a car made by the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group.

Stories told that SEAT made an Ibiza Bocanegra model and here in Forza 4, the front face of the Seat Ibiza Cupra may just be perfect enough to shade it black to replicate the Ibiza Bocanegra, which is a bit too easy for a geek. If you show it to your friends, they might be saying "Ooh! A Bocanegra!" and this trick can fool even the stringent of the aristocrats. Wow indeed and the SEAT Ibiza Cupra is just one of the hot hatches offered on Forza 4. I never knew that there are joys of driving a hot hatch because they're more fun to drive as supercars and you could get someone in the boot and somewhat reasonable to maintain than supercars. They really are that nimble on the racetracks.

Red Bull gives you wings for the Filipinos...eh wait a minute...

Ever since Rhys Millen arrived in the Philippines for some drifting, that signaled the launch of the Red Bull energy drink in the Philippines...no wait. No, that's not right. We already have Red Bull but why would they launch an energy drink that was already in the Philippines for years?!

A spokesperson said "We’re launching Red Bull in the Philippines for the first time, and for us it's the 165th country that we're going to be in," but there was already a Red Bull in the Philippines for years. We even bought these at 7-Eleven stores so why would they launch Red Bull in the country where Red Bull's already been there?

"We'd like to clear up that the other Red Bull is a different company from ours,"

"Ours are in blue-and-silver cans and every single one is produced in Austria and exported out. The other one is of Thai origin. We're the brand that Rhys and all the other famous athletes work with."

The spokesperson said that but wait. Thai origin? The Red Bull in blue-and-silver cans are made in Austria? There were two Red Bull companies in this world? Austria and Thailand? A Red Bull that was made in Austria and a Red Bull made in Thailand? Those history lessons about Red Bull will be somewhat an argument. Some say, it was invented by an Austrian named Dietrich Mateschitz. Others said it was made by a wealthy Thai named Chaleo Yoovidhya, who died a few months ago.

Never mind, while we're in deep history hell right now, the pricing of this canned Red Bull is somewhat much more expensive than the bottled Red Bull. 98 pesos to be exact.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/red-bull-kicks-off-philippine-market-launch

Next season of Top Gear will be next year, says Jezza

Top Gear Series 18 DVD

"There's a rumour in internet land that there will be no more Top Gears this year. I'm afraid that apart from the Xmas special, it's true" Those are the words said by Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson via his newly made Twitter account, jcrclarksonesq, and it's true. There won't be a new Top Gear in the second half of 2012. That's the bad news for TG fans worldwide but on the upper side, next season of Top Gear will be in early 2013.

A South African radio station interviewed Jezza about Hot Hatchbacks in Monte Carlo, the upcoming Ron Howard movie titled Rush, a 1976 F1 duel between Niki Lauda and James Hunt, and an upcoming Top Gear Live 2012 event. Guess this guy's having a break from destruction, except for Hammond where he's in the USA, mastering the toughest machines on BBC America's show, Richard Hammond's Crash Course. James May, on the other hand, has his hands full as a commentator for the Grade One Grand National from Aintree. Yep, both of them have very hectic skeds and the reason why Sundays at BBC are fully booked up is because of something like X Factor or The Voice UK. "Sunday nights will be full of fat people singing," "Top Gear is a medium size van. Cowell is a juggernaut. When he has finished his singing competition, our new series will start."

Just because a new season of Top Gear won't be coming until early next year does not mean you should be readying your paintball to hit Jezza's testicles just like what ex-F1 driver David Coulthard did during the Car Art episode.

Let's Do The News! (May 9, 2012)

And now, the news! But before that, can we just say that we're a bit of an itch about the 2013 Subaru Legacy lineup that comes with either a new FB25 or the new FA20 Direct Injection Turbo engine.

Really? What is it?

You were right. Dropping out a performance-oriented 6-speed manual transmission really was a bad news for the 2013 Legacy. I mean hello? CVT mated for the turbocharged 2.0L engine? This is much more worse than that. Some car enthusiasts think that most CVTs are the fun-killers and overall, they made the cars too boring.

Uh, what about CVTs with manual modes?

Same thing here. Fuji Heavy Industries shouldn't drop that kind of transmission because the 6-speed manual is just good for the new FA20 Direct Injection Turbo engine. Imagine if a hotter version of the BRZ will look like using that engine. Wake up, Fuji Heavy Industries! Why does most Japanese carmakers often rely on something eco rather than performance? Where are the fun Japanese cars?

(laughing)

Uh, you better cut off to that point. Anyway, remember that fight in NAIA? Some eagle eyed observers are suggesting that some say there were Mon Tulfo and couples Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto involved in a fistfight. You can't tell that they were actually involved on that airport fight.

Scoop: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/189625/thrilla-in-naia

Oh wait? Mon Tulfo? Raymart Santiago? Involved in the fight in NAIA?

Yes it was. There was a brawl broke out between those two. There were videos of this fight uploaded on the net.

Really? I just wanna see it but speaking of which, that reminded of one thing! If it's something more like the Thrilla in Manila fight or even the Mayweather-Cotto fight (which Mayweather won the fight and remained undefeated), this could be it. This could be...THRILLA IN NAIA!!!

(laughing)

THRILLA IN NAIA! THE BIGGEST FIGHT OF THE YEAR! HA HA HA!

(laughing)

Here's a good thing. While Mon Tulfo enraged on a airport brawl with Raymart Santiago, why not bring the Ben, Raffy, and Erwin do a fistfight against Randy, Rowell, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago? This would be a hit!

(laughing)

Hey buddy. You better be careful about that Miriam Defensor-Santiago...

Why?

In the senate, she's a loud mouth. So loud, someone had to cover his ears. That's what this is. If you see Miriam Defensor-Santiago in the senate hearing yelling and becoming a total loud mouth, cover your ears. You can't survive against her.

(laughing)

Oh okay. If no one can survive against Miriam Defensor-Santiago, how come she's very good at Pick-Up Lines? BOOM!

(laughing)

Uh....uh....Anyway, while the whole THRILLA IN NAIA is getting a bit too cocky, how about advancing to the next one?

Right, uh anyway a Forza 4 unicorn car, the MINE'S R32 GT-R was unexpectedly appeared when I fire up that game.

(ooohh)

As you can see, this is a Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 modified by MINE'S, one of Japan's renowned tuning companies. The 2.6L engine fitted on the R32 has been tweaked from 320HP to 621HP. 0-60mph in about 3 seconds and top speed of about 207mph. No idea how I got it but some say that after I read this week's REAR VIEW MIRROR article at the official Forza Motorsport site and Turn 10 dev, johniwanna asked the Forza Faithfuls how do they like Porsches, in a tribute for the upcoming Porsche Expansion Pack this late May 2012. He even told that he will give them a unicorn of their choice for the ones who explained why do they like Porsches. I said to him...

"Anyway, what I like about Porsches are their fame, their racing pedigree, their heritage, and how are they being bonkers. I am an avid fan of Porsche myself and those cars really shaped up the automotive world. Take this 959 for example, this became the world's fastest car in the 1980's until it was short lived by the 201mph Ferrari F50. Despite that, the people from Porsche are what made them so special. So special that only the desirable are favored to drive one.

When a Porsche was featured on Top Gear, I was salivated to see one and now with Porsche returned on Forza 4, I now have a chance to push them all to the max at the Top Gear Test Track. This is a dream come true for me and hopefully, they will carry on in the future."

That's how I got this car and thankfully, the legendary Porsche 959 I told was included on the Porsche Expansion Pack. What can I say huh? Porsche 959? Yeah, do a drag race against the Ferrari F40 just like on the Series 16 finale of Top Gear, the one with the 80's supercar nirvana.

Anyway, while waiting for this, I decided to give The Stig the keys to the MINE'S R32 GT-R. Play the tape!

Well, the MINE'S GT-R R32 did it in 1:23.303, personal best. So I think this tuned version of the R32 Skyline GT-R is somewhat a perfectionist. No wonder they can make the best better.

Speaking of which, I once taking a hard time at this week's Community Bounty Hunter event held at the RISING STORM II rivals event in Fujimi Kaido -Old Kaido-. The score set by Turn 10 staff, T10 SIDEFX, was 77,145. I drift with the tuned Ford Escort RS1800 and this was a struggling experience!

Really?

Yes, this was a struggling trial-and-error because this Escort RS1800 is just too hard to countersteer and bounded to spin! I never knew that the 1977 Ford Escort RS1800 was just one of the scariest rides I have ever experience but at an interest of winning the Top Secret S15, I stuck with it.

So, what's the score?

I did it in 78,589 points, that is the best I can do and I can do no more. I pushed hard and that was the toughest challenge I had ever face.

(applause)

I am noteworthy of claiming the Top Secret S15 if the event was over tonight. Speaking of which....How come my Top Secret Supra hasn't been landed on our garage. I was in last month's VIP Rivals event...

(laughing)

Calm down. It should arrive soon. Anyway, I got reports that Nissan's Juke-R is headed for limited production. 

Last January, the Nissan Juke-R, the Juke with the Godzilla engine on it, appeared on Dubai and it trounced every supercar on the planet. It was so good that two of the three orders have come from high-profile residents of the Middle East.

So, hardcore enthusiasts are ready to get their hands on the Juke-R?

Yes, and Nissan said that it will build more Juke-Rs upon request and will be taking orders in the coming four weeks before it begins production of the car. For inquires, email Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/nissan-to-put-juke-r-into-limited-production

So, will there be someone from Japan getting their hands on the GT-R powered Juke?

(wow)

Wow indeed. And let's get back to the whole THRILLA IN NAIA story. It seems that Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto are now filing physical injury and child abuse complaints against Mon Tulfo and grave threats against Ben, Raffy, and Erwin.

Scoop: http://www.pep.ph/news/34036/Raymart-Santiago-and-Claudine-Barretto-to-file-physical-injury-and-child-abuse-complaints-against-Mon-Tulfo,-and-grave-threats-vs-Tulfo-brothers

Oh my. It seems that the Santiagos are winning the THRILLA IN NAIA against the Tulfos.

(laughing)

THE TULFO BROTHERS ARE GOING DOWN! HA HA!

Okay, enough now. Now last April 2012, the facelifted 2013 Lexus RX was launched in Japan and by timing, it's here in RX350 only.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/lexus-manila-launches-updated-rx350-luxury-crossover

You can expect the new Spindle Grille first seen at the new GS and a new steering wheel. There is a new trim level that includes a tilt-and-slide moonroof; new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels; driver-seat, steering-wheel and side-mirror memory functions; a multipurpose roof rail; perforated leather seats; power rear door; and a backup camera integrated in the rear-view mirror.

(wow)

Wow! So, what's the pricing?

Prices start at 3,578,000 Pesos for the 2013 Lexus RX350.

So, it's not what they called cheap, right?

Indeed it is...

So anyway, we got reports saying that actor Xian Lim will be at the Eton Centris, Centris Walk on May 13, 2012 at 7:00PM Philippine Standard Time for his "So It's You" album mall tour.

(wow)

Whoa! Hold on! The guy frrom My Binondo Girl gets his own album?!

Well, frankly yes, he does.

Amazing!

Wait, hold on a sec. I picked up some info that Morrissey is coming at the World Trade Center, Manila, this Sunday, May 13, 2012, at 8PM!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! More events this May 13?! No wonder summer time in the Philippines' getting hectic right now...

And that's the news!!!!

It's not what you called cheap but it's cheerful

It's a little big world out there for the smart

It was in one of these, well not exactly one of these. This is the smart fortwo, one of the cars you can find on Forza Motorsport 4's May Top Gear Pack and I think this is somewhat too wrong. Back in January when I got the January Jalopnik Pack, it seems that the devs put up the wrong Audi RS5 because there was a facelifted RS5 out there but what they did featured was the pre-facelifted model. This is the same situation. There was a 2013 smart fortwo unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show but again, the devs showed up the pre-facelifted smart fortwo on this game. Has the Turn 10 devs never stay in touch with the latest automotive news and rather focused on putting old cars on this game? Never mind, but still the smart fortwo is just more of a fun to drive micro mini that Forza fans waited for this...well almost.

Sensible to challenge against a 747

With that looks, it looks like a Little Tykes
Cozy Coupe out there!

It's not what you called cheap, 15,000 CR, which is 5,000 CR more than the starter cars such as the Nissan Micra, Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, Peugeot 107, Volkswagen Fox, and the Vauxhall Agila but what you got here is a hatchback that has the layout of a Porsche; rear-engine rear wheel drive. Yep, it's an RR micro-mini. That's what that is. I like the way Mercedes-Benz getting too sensible of making this nippy little rascal. With that size, you can have fun playing car football with this just like what you saw on a Top Gear Live event a couple of years ago. Really?

The engine mounted at the back was a 1.0L 3B21 engine produced by Mitsubishi Motors and this one's Naturally Aspirated. The 3B21 engine that powered the smart fortwo has 11.4:1 compression ratio and premium fuel (95+ octane RON) is recommended. This produces 70HP of power and 68lb-ft of torque so it's not what you called quick. 0-60mph in 13.3 seconds, 0-100mph in 50 seconds, and top speed of 101mph, so again, it's not quick but despite that, the smart fortwo is much lighter than the Toyota Aygo and the Volkswagen Fox. Perhaps no wonder the car football part at the Top Gear Live event a couple of years ago used that car. He he he....

Says who?

The smallest of cars do the most sensible stuff, even in Forza Motorsport 4. It can slip past against the IT at the game of TAG VIRUS, agile enough to remain IT at the game of Keep the It, it can do better when everyone in a game of CAR FOOTBALL are driving smart fortwo cars, that is everything. This micro mini made by Mercedes-Benz is all about being too sensible but for me, there's something else more than being sensible with the sensible smart car.

Let me explain something, you see, a couple of months ago, Mercedes-Benz Japan showcased a Puella Magi Madoka Magica smart electric drive itasha at the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival in Tokyo from February 22 to March 4. Later on, they allow guests to test drive those if they have a license to drive in Japan and a (free) Mercedes Benz Connected Card membership. I was convincing to see someone recreating the Puella Magi Madoka Magica electric car on Forza 4 and guess what? It did and here it is afterwards...

That's Akemi Homura on this side....

...and a Madoka Kaname on this side!!!

I stumbled across the Forza 4 storefront and I found this. This looked like the Puella Magi Madoka Magica smart electric drive that most Japanese otakus saw one at the Mercedes-Benz Connection in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan. The detailing is just 97% good (couple that with the 5ZIGEN ZR+520 rims, painted green, and it will be 98% accurate). I can see Madoka Kaname, Kyubey, and Akemi Homura on there. This could have only done by some Forza Faithful under the XBOX Gamertag "arata YH", who was responsible for recreating the CR-Z race car vinyls on this game. I was going to give thanks to him but gosh, this is just how it completes the look of the smart fortwo. My vision of seeing a Puella Magi Madoka Magica smart electric drive design on Forza 4 became true and sadly, you can't get one because the player who made it was limited to 100 copies and it costs 10,000 CR each. Gladly, I finally got it before the stocks ran out and I was very happy to play with the smart that was once sensible, now even more sensible when a Madoka Magica vinyl contracted on this car. It's amazing when you see the words "Contract with me!". This car makes me want to contract it.