The King of Comedy is gone...forever...

DOLPHY

The King of Comedy is gone...forever.

We heard the news that legendary comedian, Dolphy (whose real name was Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr.) passed away at the age of 83. Some say, he died at the Makati Medical Center at 8:34PM, Tuesday, after several moments fighting against his COPD disease.

Very sad day...very sad to see a legendary face fade away in the industry.

For almost six decades, Dolphy's been around for several movies with his trademark humor and style that impresses Filipinos worldwide. He's also involved in several TV shows such as the famed John en Marsha, Home Along Da Riles, Home Along D Airport, John & Shirley, and TV5's Pidol's Wonderland.

Dolphy also released his own biography in 2008 to commemorate his 80th birthday titled "Dolphy, Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-Isa".

Dolphy has several awards and accolades such as the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart, Lifetime Achievement Award from Gawad Urian, Cinemanila International Film Festival, PMPC Star TV Awards, Metro Manila Film Festival (Best Actor in Father Jejemon, Best Supporting Actor in Rosario), and so on. There are too many to list about Dolphy's achievement ever since his tenure.

The only Dolphy moment I always loved is the Banayad Whiskey joke from the movie FATHER EN SON. There are various Dolphy moments we love to preserve, even his passing.

The king of comedy may be gone forever but we're sure he left traces of himself behind us...

DOLPHY: 1928 - 2012

Scoop: http://pep.ph/news/34556/comedy-king-dolphy-dead-at-83

Welcome Back: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Now that's what he called DRIVING HEAVEN

Porsche's 911 GT3 RS (997) is known to be the lightweight XXX version of the GT3. The GT3 RS offers the same aesthetics as the standard GT3 model but it lost 20 kilos or 44 lbs of weight with the use of an adjustable rear wing made of carbon, an extra-light plastic rear window, and the use of lightweight bucket seats. The car's power-to-weight ratio, as a result, is just 4.5 kg/kW.

Lightweight versions of exotics providing the "less is more" philosophy, meaning that throwing away unnecessary stuff in the car makes it sharper and quicker. However, in the GT3 RS, I'm afraid that this is the other way around. This may be 44lbs lighter than the standard GT3 but when I pushed this TRACK DAY TOY round the Top Gear Test Track, it lapped slower than the standard model!

Never mind about that but anyway, Richard Hammond drove this on Top Gear while Jeremy Clarkson's in the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and James May's in the road legal version of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24 in the search to find DRIVING HEAVEN and it ended on the way to Davos to Stelvio Pass, which is their DRIVING HEAVEN.

A more powerful version of the XFR is coming?

2012 Jaguar XFR

We heard the news that there's going to be a more powerful version of the Jaguar XFR sports saloon coming at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show this fall.

Some say, it could be called the XFR-S, which is weird because our favorite Jaguar XKR-S was the powerful version of the XKR and it's going to happen to the XFR.

No further details for now but once it's here, we think that this could be Jaguar's answer to the BMW M5 F10 and the Benz E63 AMG 5.5L V8 BiTurbo.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/jaguar-xfr-s-to-debut-at-la-auto-show/

Welcome Back: 2007 Audi TT Coupe S-Line

It's a car with pure energy

Off to Scotland for some golfing!

If the first generation Audi TT was made to be more of a fashionista's choice, then this second-generation Audi TT is the opposite because what Audi made is more athletic than ever. It's no longer a cow in the track suit, it's a cow GTI in racing overalls!

In reality, we have a choice of either a 1.8-litre EA888 TFSi, EA113-variant 2.0-litre TFSI, or the 3.2L VR6 engine. Here in Forza 4, what we have is the one with the 3.2L VR6 engine, the one we found on the old TT. It produces 268bhp of power and 350Nm of torque.

It maybe the baby of the Audi sportscars but it's highly advanced in terms of technology. With the help of the magnetic suspension, which Audi stole that idea from the Chevrolet Corvette, the handling is racing car sharp.

Jeremy Clarkson drove this one while Richard Hammond drives the Mazda RX-8 and James May drives an Alfa Romeo Brera in series 9, episode 2 of BBC Top Gear where the boys compare the Audi TT, Mazda RX-8 and Alfa Romeo Brera in Scotland.

Silverstone after the storm

The London 2012 Olympics may be at late July but here in Silverstone, this is madness. We never believed that it was raining during the practice sessions, not to mention flooded car parks. On that main event, just as we thought that Ferrari's Alonso may take the spotlight but then it was Mark Webber who achieved the win at the British GP.

Race - Webber beats Alonso to Silverstone win 08 Jul 2012

      

For so many laps on Sunday at Silverstone it seemed that Fernando Alonso was set to repeat his historic 2011 British victory for Ferrari, until Red Bull’s Mark Webber was able to turn the tables dramatically with just five laps remaining.

They started from the front row, Alonso on pole, and on his hard-compound Pirelli tyres the Spaniard raced away, leaving Webber, like many of their rivals shod with the soft rubber, to chase him from a distance. Alonso maintained his advantage after their first tyre stops, when they both changed to hards, so it was the final stint that became critical.

Now Alonso had to switch to his mandatory set of soft tyres on the 37th lap, four laps after Webber had changed to another set of the hards, and the fight was on. The gap was 3.9s on Lap 38, but then it came down bit by bit. By Lap 45 Webber was on his prey, but Alonso held on for two more laps before finally succumbing to the inevitable on the 48th as the Red Bull swept round the outside of him at Luffield and raced away to what was ultimately an easy victory.

Alonso clung on for second, and just stayed ahead of Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel who had fought back from a relatively poor start in which he sustained some front-wing endplate damage and lost out to Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa. Great pit-stop strategy from Red Bull, bringing him in as early as the 10th lap, allowed him to jump them both to take the final place on the podium.

Massa hung on in there after Vettel had overtaken and took fourth by a whisker as Kimi Raikkonen yet again ended a race with great pace in the Lotus. The Finn was less than a second adrift at the end, and Romain Grosjean made it a good day for the Enstone team by climbing from last place after a brush with Force India’s Paul di Resta on the opening lap, to take sixth. Di Resta was the first retirement as a result, with suspected suspension damage.

Schumacher could not hold on to the third place he held initially, and slipped back to seventh, overtaking a disappointed Lewis Hamilton who had led briefly during Alonso’s first stop after a terrific opening stint which took him six laps further than Alonso had gone on the same hard-compound tyres. Later the McLaren went less well on the soft tyre, and when Hamilton’s final set of hard tyres was not as good as his first, he was unable to do better than eighth.

Team mate Jenson Button took 10th, but only after Bruno Senna ahead of him had unsettled Nico Hulkenberg who had held ninth for many laps in the surviving Force India. The German slid off trying to repass the Brazilian’s Williams on the 51st lap, handing Senna two points and Button the final one for McLaren. Like Hamilton, he too complained of general lack of grip.

Behind them, Kamui Kobayashi took 11th after a strong race, which unfortunately was marred when he hit three mechanics when he slightly overshot his pit during his second stop. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured, but the stewards understandably took a dim view and fined the Japanese driver 25,000 euro.

Hulkenberg recovered for 12th, ahead of the duelling Toro Rossos of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, who swapped places at the end and were only two seconds apart. Nico Rosberg was 15th, after dropping out of point contention when his left-front wheel presented problems during his second pit stop.

Pastor Maldonado was another who should have scored points, but after their first pit stops on the 11th lap the Venezuelan was involved in another incident when he clipped Sauber’s Sergio Perez as they battled for track position. They both spun, but the angry Mexican was unable to continue thanks to suspension damage. The stewards subsequently reprimanded Maldonado and fined him 10,000 euro for causing a collision.

With Vitaly Petrov’s Caterham breaking its engine in the pit lane prior to the start, the green and yellow team were down to just Heikki Kovalainen, who brought his CT01 home 17th, well ahead of the Marussias of Timo Glock and Charles Pic, and the HRTs of Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan.

Webber’s win moves him to 116 points, with Alonso still leading on 129. Behind them, Vettel is now third on 100 from Hamilton on 92 and Raikkonen on 83. Red Bull extend their lead in the constructors’ championship, with 216 points, with both Ferrari and Lotus, on 152 and 144, moving ahead of McLaren on 142.

Scoop: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/7/13563.html

Verdict: For Mark Webber advanced through while Alonso's still in the lead and Vettel is 3rd. What comes next at Germany this July 22?

Welcome Back: 2004 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro

This may have a flappy paddle gearbox but
it seems to be an effective one...

Driven by instinct

The Audi TT, this car has been lashing on the Cool Wall years ago. Some say this is COOL but some say, this is SERIOUSLY UNCOOL just because...they accessorize it or treat it as an accessory to your right. However, this is more of a hair-scrunchy thing for men.

I have to say that this car is just so stylish, hip, and cool. From the exterior to the interior, it's just well made to be more fashionable but you can't just get in and go because you need to be more fashionable to suit the TT's fashionable behavior. Most people have an hour or so to get home from work and go out for a night but when they have an Audi TT, this isn't enough. It takes several hours to find the right dress and proudly say "Hi! I got an Audi TT!"

The TT was launched as a coupe in 1998 and as a roadster in 1999. It uses the platform derived from the Volkswagen Golf MK4. The name was derived from the successful motor racing tradition of NSU in the British Isle of Man TT race. It can be also attributed to "Technology & Tradition". Driven by design, driven by turbo, and driven by quattro, the Audi TT has the commercial tagline of "Driven by instinct".

Early TT models come with a 1.8T engine with various power outputs and mated with either a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, or a 6-speed tiptronic. In 2003, a more powerful 3.2 V6 engine was introduced and it churns out 247HP of power and 320Nm of torque. It comes with a 6-speed DSG transmission that takes .4 seconds faster than manual shifting.

This first-generation TT was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award in 2000. It was also on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best lists for 2000 and 2001

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed this one on Top Gear and when handed to The Stig, the V6-powered TT lapped the Top Gear Test Track on 1:32.7, quicker than the old Volkswagen Golf R32.

Welcome Back: 2007 Porsche 911 GT3

Remember, the winner gets to kiss Mr. Clarkson...

Today, I went for the 2007 Porsche 911 GT3, not the RS because we'll pick that up later, which comes with the plastic back window and part of Forza Motorsport 4's Porsche Expansion pack. What you get here is RWD, sports seats, yellow seatbelts that make you look interesting and a 415HP 3.6L B6 engine that can get you away from people before they discovered you're not.

The GT3 is Darwin's Evolution. Decades of German engineering have brought us with this car. Aficionados have gone weak and feeble at the mere mention of this name. There are many reasons why most of them love this car but for Clarkson, he hates the gearbox, the yellow seatbelts, and some kind of lap timer. Most of all, the only thing he hates most that the GT3 wasn't made to tolerating fools and he's a fool.

Jeremy Clarkson drove this one on Top Gear and when handed to The Stig, it lapped an amazing 1:23.1 at the Top Gear Test Track. This car was featured on Jeremy Clarkson's 2007 DVD, Supercar Showdown, and he crashed it, slightly. Despite the minor crash, this car was handed over to The Stig and defeated the Audi R8, driven by Nurburgring genius Sabine Schmitz.

Jeremy Clarkson War Stories

Jeremy Clarkson War Stories

Jeremy Clarkson War Stories pits through Top Gear veteran, Jeremy Clarkson, into storytelling about two remarkable stories from the grueling World War II. Both of these two documentaries are educative, informative, and surely one of the best that you'll never ever find these on history books, well almost because most of them are from your history books.

The first one is The Victoria Cross: For Valour. In September 17, 1944, the Allies are advancing through German enemies by dropping from the sky by parachute or glider up to 150 km behind enemy lines. Their mission is to protect the bridge across the rivers in Holland so that the Allied army could advance rapidly northwards and turn right into the lowlands of Germany.

Sadly, the operation named Operation Market Garden wasn't quite getting better. The bridge at Arnhem proved to be 'a bridge too far'. After 10 days of bitter fighting the operation ended with the evacuation of the remainder of the 1st British Airborne Division from the Arnhem area.

On that documentary, Jeremy Clarkson tells the story about the highest military decoration awarded for valour; the Victoria Cross. It even told about who are the honorable soldiers who achieved their Victoria Cross and what is the future of the Victoria Cross.

The next documentary is called The Greatest Raid of All. The St Nazaire Raid or Operation Chariot is one the most successful British amphibious attack on the heavily defended Normandie dry dock at St Nazaire in German-occupied France during the Second World War. This operation is known to be THE GREATEST RAID OF ALL. Jeremy Clarkson took us for a wild ride about Operation Chariot, the introduction of the commandos, and how did this operation became successful.

Both these war stories are remarkable, and quite a thrill for those who want to learn more about Britain in the brink of the Second World War. The honor among British troops is what made these stories very remarkable in the eyes of many historians. As for me, I love to watch these two stories over and over again thanks to Jeremy Clarkson's storytelling.

Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jeremy-Clarkson-War-Stories-DVD/dp/B004URO3SE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1341720761&sr=8-5

Let's Do The News! (July 8, 2012)

And now we will do the news and oh, have you seen the PBB Teens 4 Big Night?

(audience said yes)

Yes, I did.

Me too....

It's Myrtle Sarrosa! PBB Teen Edition 4 Big Winner! Congratulations! 

(audience applause)

Wai...wait...wait....Really? Is it Myrtle Sarrosa who won PBB Teens 4?

Indeed she is...

But....but I was rooting for Roy Requero, which he ended up 3rd place, while Karen Reyes came 2nd and the Agpangan twins landed 4th. Which is weird for the first time in PBB history that there are twins landed to the big 4 and they were Jai and Joj Agpangan. AMAZING! He he....

Yeah, amazing to see twins coming this far but still Ms. Myrtle Sarrosa has confidence, charisma, strength, and the willpower that became THAT kind of person who achieved a dream after spending 13 weeks staying at BAHAY NI KUYA for series of challenges.

But still, congratulations Myrtle, Karen, Roy, and the Agpangan twins!

(audience applause)

Oh hey now, bad news!

What?

REALLY REALLY BAD NEWS!

What?

Persona 4 Arena...

What is it about?

Persona 4 Arena - the world's first region-locked Playstation3 game for six years!

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-07-06/persona-4-arena-disc-region-locked-but-not-online-servers

(awwwww)

Oh....But why? Why PERSONA 4 ARENA became the world's first region-locked PS3 game?

I have no idea why did that happened for the most anticipated game that plays like Blazblue but with Persona 4 characters on it. ATLUS, if you're reading this, you're pathetic.

(audience laughing)

You couldn't blame ATLUS for saying that Persona 4 Arena became the world's first region-locked PS3 game, eh? Well, what was the last time you realized that the game you had were region-locked?

Several times but here's one of my childhood stories. In the past when I have a SEGA DREAMCAST back then, I have games that suited well right until I bought some cheap Dreamcast games at some shady stores in malls, I didn't realize that they were region locked. Later on, we bought some kind of a special gizmo that makes every Dreamcast game region free. It was like a disc, only better. I tried that on one of mine such as Sonic, Silent Scope, Evolution 2, Crazy Taxi, any others....

Aside from Dreamcast, any others?

Ah yes! Back in 2002, someone bought me a Playstation2. That made me happy but when it comes to play something, momma said that this PS2 needs to be modified in order to be REGION-FREE.

(ooohhh)

So, where did you modified your PS2 to be REGION-FREE?

Some shady shop at SM Southmall, the cinema floor. That region-free modification is kinda costly but still it was worth trying to buy some PS2 games no matter what region they were.

(oooohh)

I was kinda carried away right until portable games like the old Nintendo DS or the PSP that have the willpower to play games no matter what region they are.

So, the old DS and the outgoing, but still popular in Japan, PSP has the REGION-FREE willpower? Wowies!

Hey um...you know that last year's 3DS was region locked, right?

Doesn't bother because I never have one but anyway, the issue of Persona 4 Arena became the world's first region-locked PS3 game, is this going to affect the habit of import foreign hardware for a multitude of reasons and expect to be unlimited in their software selection? What do you think?

(audience murmuring)

How bad could that be? Oh, and I found something from ATLUS's press release. Says here...

"The unforeseen consequence in all of this was that we had a version of our biggest game of the year releasing within a couple weeks in two territories, both identical in content, but at radically different price points. Importing, as great as it is for gamers who otherwise can't get access to a title, can also cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another. While we're all one big ATLUS family, the reality is that the dramatic difference between the Yen and the Dollar makes for a dramatic difference in price. So the decision was made, perhaps at the expense of some of our fans, clearly at the frustration of many, to region-lock Persona 4 Arena."

...Importing cannibalize the performance of a title in one territory to the benefit of another. Yep, that's true but doesn't matter to us. We don't care if we're importing something that goes something something but at least we tried to have a piece of it. What's going to be next? NAMCO BANDAI? Konami? SEGA? CAPCOM? I HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE THE NEXT VICTIM OF REGION-LOCKED PS3 GAME!!!!

(audience laughing)

This is some kind of EMBARGO! This is ILLEGAL! In fact, I'm not buying that game. I'm definitely not buying that game. That whole Persona 4 Arena PS3 game embargo is just bull.

Anyway, kindly forget about this whole P4 Arena embargo issue regarding that this is the world's first region-locked PS3 game for half a decade. And moving on....Anyway, remember the BBC Anglophenia article about how to cosplay as former Doctor Who ally, Rose Tyler? Guess what? We found something on the official BBC America's Anglophenia blog regarding Doctor Who cosplays...

What is it? How to dress as Amy Pond?

(audience laughing)

Love to hear that but no. Not yet. Here's how to dress as Martha Jones, the companion from Season 3;

1: Hair – Black and up. Very businesslike. Smart and out of the way, apart from the odd rogue strand deliberately hung across the face.

2: Jacket – zip-up burgundy leather windcheater, waist length. It’s a different color to the Rose Tyler jacket, but if you’re stuck, you could probably swap the one for the other. Martha and Rose are so physically different no one could really confuse the two.

3: Top – one of those vest-tops with lacy trimmings at the top, of a similar color to the jacket but a bit lighter, and a bit longer.

4: Jeans – boot cut, blue-black, stonewashed and long.

5: Shoes – as you can see, Martha likes her power heels. Something black and booty would be ideal.

6:Accessories – small golden hoop earrings and a subtle gold necklace. Couple of rings on her left hand.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/07/doctor-who-cosplay-how-to-dress-like-martha-jones/

If cosplaying as Martha Jones is not your type, how about Donna Noble, the runaway bride and then companion from Season 4? Note that this is going to be advanced and it takes a middle aged woman to pull this job...

1: Hair – red. If you can’t manage Donna hair, you’re sort of doomed. A red wig if you can get it, with brow-length bangs, but swept away from the forehead.

2: Jacket – dark tan leather raincoat.

3: Top – there’s a purple vest top underneath, and a long grey sweater with a low scooped neckline on top.

4:Trousers – anything dark will do. Dark jeans, charcoal grey suit pants, that kind of thing.

5: Shoes – brown and sensible. Donna’s a little older than Martha and a little more middle-class than Rose. She saves her uncomfortable shoes for the weekend.

6: Accessories – thick tan belt, as close to the color of the coat as possible, worn over the sweater. Hoop earrings, no necklace. Donna also wears a ring like a pebble on the middle finger of her right hand. You can get away without it if you can’t find one.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/07/doctor-who-cosplay-how-to-dress-like-donna-noble/

It's hard to pull a Donna Noble attempt and yeah, you're right. It takes some middle-aged woman to pull this kind of job as becoming Donna. Speaking of which, as I read through the BBC Anglophenia, another Doctor Who character you wanna be is...RIVER SONG? Oh no...We're not into that...I would rather wait for HOW TO DRESS LIKE AMY POND.

(audience laughing)

Okay okay Hamster. If you're waiting for BBC America's ANGLOPHENIA blog to put this whole HOW TO DRESS LIKE AMY POND to reality, you'll have to wait even longer. Hey now, my story. When we were shopping for some groceries, there was something unexpected when I left. My sis, unexpectedly got my PSVita and suddenly played the Metal Gear Solid HD Edition. She played MGS2 here and bam!

(audience laughing)

What is it?

You know, my little sis knows about Raiden who was more of a ninja like what you saw on MGS4. We can also expect Raiden as the hero of next year's Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. Anyway, my little sis got confused about this Raiden character for being the coolest Metal Gear character of all times. You know what forget about it. Forget about that. Forget what I said that.

(audience laughing)

Okay, we heard you loud and clear....

Anyway, my real story. My papa bought me a new shirt....

(audience laughing)

NOOB? You're a NOOB?

That's what the shirt says...NOOB! I'M A NOOB!

(audience laughing continues)

Anyway, good shirt by the looks of it.

Slow, please, this shirt is rubbish and whoever bought me this is....

(audience laughing)

You know what? Forget it. Anyway, moving on. Taxis in the Philippines. It's a bit more rubbish by the way when it comes to this whole CASH ONLY policy. I heard something that in Davao that a much sosy taxi was made and this accepts either cash or CREDIT CARDS! A taxi that accepts credit cards even if you don't have cash on your wallet!

(ooohh)

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/davao-commuters-can-now-pay-taxicabs-with-atm-or-credit-cards

How CONYO was that? Taxis in Davaos accept ATM or Credit cards! I'd wish I would rather live here but hey, I'd never thought that taxis in the Philippines are getting more advanced and sosy than ever! There was this CALL A TAXI that you can summon a taxi and now this! I hope this will be implemented nationwide because not only they are easy, they're secured because it lessens chances of holdups and car thefts. Guess they've learned something from other countries because of advanced taxis.

Sounds convincing! TAXIS ARE NOW GETTING CONYO AND SOSY! Even the drivers are now turned Conyo drivers! Imagine that!

(audience laughing)

You know Jerry Seinfeld? The comedian who was featured on the Acura NSX commercial since Super Bowl 2012? Guess what, he's planning for a new show regarding comedians in cars...

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/06/seinfeld-teases-new-car-show-with-other-comedians/

Sounds like transaction!

Yeah! This is transaction and hopefully this won't be bothered by a flying Jay Leno. Otherwise, he'll ruin Seinfeld's progress just as what happened on the first NSX. He he he...

(audience laughing)

THAT'S THE NEWS!!!

Mercedes-Benz SL63/65 AMG (R231)

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

The SL-Class R231 served as the sixth generation of the legendary GT car made by Mercedes-Benz and here, that wouldn't be done without the mega erotic AMG models.

Starting with the SL63 AMG, this version comes with the M157 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine that churns out 395 kW (537 PS) of power and 800 Nm of torque. Mated with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission, it will do 0-100kph in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. Couple that with the optional AMG Performance Package and the top speed will become 300kph thanks to the boost of power and torque.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission comes with several driving modes such as "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport Plus), "M" (Manual), and "C" (Controlled Efficiency). When set to "S" (Sport) mode, the engine and transmission take on a much more agile character. "Sport plus" or "Manual" shifts the gears another 25 percent faster than in "S". The new Controlled Efficiency ("C") mode makes convenient gearshifts and a "soft" accelerator response set-up for outstandingly smooth power transfer.

There's also the ECO start/stop function that shuts the engine off when stopped and then starts again when the foot is on the gas pedal, to save petrol.

In the past, old Mercedes-AMG models bearing the 65 nameplate are using the old M275 6.0L V12 BiTurbo which packs more power but only comes in 5-speed AT because 7G-Tronic wasn't able to handle the torque from the V12 engines. For the first time ever in Mercedes-AMG history, the new SL65 AMG is the first ever Mercedes-AMG model to have the all-new M279 6.0L V12 BiTurbo engine mated with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission.

This new V12 BiTurbo engine for the SL65 AMG generates 463 kW (630 PS) of power and 1000 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h takes 4 seconds with the 200 km/h mark attained after just 11.8 seconds. The top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

Exclusive features on the SL65 AMG are AIRSCARF, Active Parking Assist incl. PARKTRONIC, ATTENTION ASSIST, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system, COMAND Online with 6-disc DVD changer, Anti-theft alarm system, Frontbass, Remote-unlocking boot lid incl. power closing for boot lid, Intelligent Light System ILS, KEYLESS-GO Convenience package, Convenience telephony, MAGIC VISION CONTROL, NECK-PRO head restraints, Panoramic vario-roof, PRE-SAFE system, Door power closing, and Automatic pop-up roll-over bars for driver and front passenger.

The SL63and SL65's available colors are; Diamantweiss, Iridiumsilber, Dolomitbraun, Cavansitblau, Schwarz, Perlbeige, Palladiumsilber, Obsidianschwarz, Feueropal, Magnetitschwarz, and Tenoritgrau.

My comment:
The new SL63 gets the now ubiquitous M157 V8 BiTurbo engine, the kind of engine that Forza Motorsport creators are afraid to feature in any single Mercedes-AMG model with that kind of engine in the future, and the new SL65 AMG is the first ever AMG model with the V12 BiTurbo engine mated with the AMG MCT SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed transmission.

At last, Mercedes-AMG finally managed to tame this GT car with big power and it will surely give the new BMW M6 a run for its money.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Welcome Back: 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Made by people who love cars...

In Top Gear's USA Muscle Car Road Trip episode, Richard Hammond bought a Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 5-speed AutoStick automatic transmission. The reason why Chrysler didn't provide Hammond a test unit is because of their bad taste for American muscles. Because it has a 5-speed AT, his Challenger is proven worthless but on the Bonneville Salt Flats challenge, he tried hard to beat the 150mph target when the grille is covered in duct tape and the tire pressure's lowered. He learned that from a salt flat expert.

The Dodge Challenger SRT8 is made by people who love cars to people who love cars who can outrun people who don't care about cars. With its 6.1L HEMI V8 engine that churns out 427HP of power and 420lb-ft of torque, this muscle car is all about the noise that brings back the golden days of muscle cars, even the classic Challenger from the past.

It maybe not as powerful as the Mustang and the Camaro but with this car, I felt like that I am a secret American man, just like Richard Hammond because deep down inside, he's a secret American because he's a big fan of muscle cars.

Welcome Back: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo

Another Porsche turbo....

This is another Porsche turbo. In the past, a 911 was a one-way ticket with no stops at the pearly gates but this is the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, part of the Porsche Expansion Pack on Forza Motorsport 4. Porsche managed to tame this machine with the right combination of big power and putting the engine in the wrong place.

Back in Forza 3, Porsche sold us a wild ride in the shape of the GT3 or the biblical terrible GT2, which is the 2WD bouncy evil handling version of the Turbo. What this is though is the best of the Porsche 911 range. This comes with the 3.6L B6 engine with two variable geometry turbos, generating 473HP of power distributed through all four wheels. Couple that with the most advanced driving aids and carbon brakes, you have absolute security and stability no matter how fast you are and I am indeed to be...very fast...

The old path to the Old Mulsanne

...because this is where I'm heading, to the Old Mulsanne version of the Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe. A place where you can take your car, no matter what it is, to the max. In the 911 Turbo though, that should be quite a thrill...

That's a hundred miles per hour...

This about a hundred miles per hour now. If I was in Britain, they would take away my license, lose my job, my house, kids take up rugby sniffing, and then locked in jail. Oh wait, I don't have any kids. Anyway, this doesn't seems to be dangerous. So....let's up the pace, shall we?

Porsche says that the top speed is 193mph but they always throw side of caution. I reckoned with the right wind and path, we might be able to hit 200mph...186...190!

Come on! This is the top speed now, 193!

COME ON, SPECK IT!

COME ON!!!!

200MPH!!!

There it is! 200mph!

I love to tell you that I've never been this faster on the Old Mulsanne but I have actually. This is somewhat what life is when Jeremy Clarkson pushed the 911 Turbo to 200mph at the Autobahn from his 2008 DVD, Thriller!