A lighter, more powerful Porsche (bleep)-ster - The Cayman R

This is the first time Porsche made a model that has the letter R on it. R for responsive and refined - but most especially for racy. Introduced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Cayman R comes with the new body kit, new 19 inch lightweight wheels, lighter aluminium doors, lighter bucket seats, and with the removal of the radio, storage compartments, air-conditioners and door handles, it weighs 54.8 kilograms lighter than a Cayman S. Of course, a radio or aircon maybe considered options.

If it's colored lime, it feels like playing Fruit Ninja

Powered by a 3.4L B6 Direct Fuel Injection engine, this produces 330 hp (246 kW) of power and it can do 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, and with the optional 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission and the Sport Chrono package, it can achieve 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Cayman R 6MT's top speed is 175mph while Cayman R PDK's top speed is 174mph.

Fruit Ninja-like reflexes

This car showed up in a drag race part of Top Gear's BMW 1M Coupe review alongside the Lotus Evora S and sadly, both the Cayman and the Evora lost the race against the 1M.

Getting shot by the goons?

It was also appeared on Top Gear's 2011 DVD, Top Gear at the Movies, where Richard Hammond drives the Cayman R alongside the BMW 1M in a challenge where these cars must avoid gunfire at all places. Due to spinning, the Porsche Cayman R sustained more damage than the BMW 1M.

Sure, this stripped-out version of the Cayman R may not have the luxury features from the standard Cayman but it handles brilliantly. Not too mild, not too dynamic, just a standard handling even though this is a midship Porsche, making it a decent weapon of choice for Forza players who want a better handling lightweight car but it takes skill to master this curve-cutting knife on the edge. I can't deny that even though it not as good as the BMW 1M, the Porsche Cayman R loves to slice various corners like a fruit ninja.

Nissan Fairlady Z/370Z (Z34) Phase II

When the Nissan Z34 was launched in December 2008, this new model is more dinosaur-ish and a bit more Jurassic than the old Z33 but needless to say that I was getting fascinated with this kind of model thanks to its new 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission that combines the tactile reward of shifting your own gears with the perfectly orchestrated downshifts of an automated manual or an automatic. Now, however, there's a new version...

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z

Here it is and of course, it's very dramatic by the looks of it. This latest minor change features a number of enhancements designed to keep the legendary sports car fresh and exciting. Like the old one, the new Z34 is available in coupe, Roadster, and Version NISMO configurations.

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z interior

So, what do you get for the latest minor change? Well, you can expect refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights, red reflector added to rear fascia, revised 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, new 18-inch wheels, red-finished brake calipers, dark-finish fuel gauge trim, and Euro-tuned shock absorbers,

Not much of change on the VQ37VHR engine that produces 336PS of power and 365Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 7-speed paddle shift transmission, which is kinda annoying to us, or the hairy chested 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission that combines the tactile reward of shifting your own gears with the perfectly orchestrated downshifts of an automated manual or an automatic.

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z Version NISMO

On the Fairlady Z Version NISMO though, you can expect a race-inspired cockpit, a specially tuned suspension and unique super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. The VQ37VHR engine has been tuned to add 19PS of power to the standard engine courtesy of the exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control. The 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission is the standard transmission available which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting while the 7-speed AT is an available option.

Depending on the variant, the new Fairlady Z Z34's available colors are; Premium Sun Flare Orange, Premium Deep Maroon, Dark Blue, Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Dark Metal Gray, Diamond Black, and Vibrant Red.

The new model starts at 3,675,000 Japanese Yen for the base model with 6-speed MT up to 5,240,000 Japanese Yen for the Version NISMO model with 7AT.

My comment:

With such subtle new look, we can say that the 2013 Nissan Fairlady Z Z34 in coupe, Roadster, and Version NISMO variants, are trying to look at its best since its 4-year tenure. I really want this car more than anything else because it has a high stakes to compete against the European sports cars of that size.

Photo: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

A is for ADAM!

This is their answer to the Fiat 500 and the Mini. This is the 2013 Opel/Vauxhall ADAM. Manly about the name but not so manly about the sizing.

2013 Opel Adam

2013 Vauxhall Adam

2013 Vauxhall Adam interior

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-opel-adam-officially-unveiled-ready.html 

1980's Supercar Nirvana

The ultimate showdown between the 959 and the F40!

It was the late 1980's. The Porsche 959 and the Ferrari F40 became the ultimate supercars that reached above or beyond the 200mph mark. These two were Richard Hammond's boyhood dream and on the Series 16 finale of Top Gear, he got a chance to drive his dream cars. I can't recall seeing the two of them being together as fierce rivals but to find out, let's talk about these two; beginning with the one that was from 1987...

This 959 has a lot of gizmos....

Launched in 1986, the 959 is known to be the most advanced and technological sports car Porsche has ever made. For instance; it comes with the adjustable suspension and a complex 4WD system that you can split the power between the front and the rear wheels not just according to the grip but how you can cornering.

Thanks to the 2.9L twin turbo B6 engine that produces 331 kW (444 hp) of power, the top speed is 197mph, which in 1986 made it the fastest production car in the world.

A year later, its reign as the speed king was been short-lived thanks to this....

It's the one that gets me! Not 200 but 201!

The Ferrari F40. This car was launched in 1987 but it's more than just celebrating Ferrari's 40th anniversary. This is the car that defeated the Porsche 959 in terms of top speed because thanks to its 2.9L V6 twin-turbo engine that produces 478BHP of power, it achieved a top speed of 201mph. Another reason is because this is the first car to be ever made of carbon fiber. 

This was the last car to be commissioned by the founder, Enzo Ferrari, before his death. Originally it was made for a limited run of 400 units but because this car is a whopper, about 1,315 models were produced, with the last one being produced in the year 1992.

Both these cars have 2.9 liters. Both have the identical power. Both have twin turbos. But with these top speed differences, it can be quite challenging to figure out which of these two are the best. As observed on the 1980s Supercar Powertest episode from Top Gear...

ENZO WOULD NOT LIKE THAT RESULT!

It appears that the 959 defeated the F40 but as Hammond says, if his gear changes is better, these two were neck and neck. Despite that, it appears that these two never lapped round the Top Gear Test Track because of their problems. The F40 failed to start, therefore resulted a DNS or DID NOT START. Then, the Porsche 959 ended in a DNF or DID NOT FINISH because the turbos seem to be broken.

Despite these two failed to lap round the track; both the Porsche 959 and the Ferrari F40 played an important role in the supercar world. Surely the 959 is all about luxury and technology but the F40 is more of a stripped-out hyper go-kart with absolutely no luxury at all. I can see why the world's finest supercars like the McLaren F1 and the Bugatti Veyron draw some inspiration from these two.

If the 959 and the F40 didn't made, maybe the supercar realm wasn't even existed and there was no car that can go beyond the 200mph mark. Guess we have to owe them their thanks...

Let's Do The News (July 11, 2012)

(Sigh) Who was this Papa Chen, Papa Chen, Papa Chen. Seriously, who was that Papa Chen person?

Uh, I would kinda point that out that he's that guy from MY BINONDO GIRL but Papa Chen's back in the new recently aired drama, BE CAREFUL WITH MY HEART, which also stars Jodi Sta. Maria. Richard Yap's the man who did Papa Chen on MY BINONDO GIRL by the way.

You kept mentioning the name PAPA CHEN all day long and some say you mistook that guy for Chowking. Seriously, what's up with that?

I don't know.

You're such a pillock. But anyway Ham, about Dolphy. Any remembrance that you'd remember during his tenure?

What I love about Dolphy is his pure sense of humor that warms the cockles of our hearts. Can't believe that the KING OF COMEDY is gone...forever...

Indeed it is. The KING OF COMEDY is dead, we're afraid but for almost six decades, Dolphy's involvement from TV to movies is what made him great. We should call him THE GREATEST PINOY COMEDIAN IN THE WORLD.

Greatest Pinoy Comedian in the World. No doubt about it because his qualities during is almost six-decade tenure were truly legendary. (Sigh) His kids won't be pleased about this...

So is everyone who came in Dolphy's wake. Most people love to be inspired and most want to be like him. No other people can replace such a man with the best achievements. Anyway, REST IN PIECE Dolphy. We will never forget you and your lifetime achievements.

So, what are going to do now? Oh yes! Let's do the news!

Right and we begin with this. Mazda teases the third generation Mazda Atenza with this clip...

Wait a minute. Is this the Takeri concept.

Looks like it but no. It's NOT the Takeri because it's more than that. We believe that the next generation Mazda Atenza is the fourth model to gain the SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY and it will be the second model to come with Mazda's KODO design philosophy.

A KODO-fied Atenza, eh? Good...good....It would be even more good-looking as the....CX5 crossover which is undeniably the best Mazda SKYACTIV model ever built thanks to its SKYACTIV-D engine that promises better fuel economy.

Well, not much to tell about now for this next 2013/2014 Mazda Atenza but hey! Let's move on. Scion tC, well another year, another RELEASE SERIES and for the RELEASE SERIES 8.0...

2013 Scion tC RS 8.0

...this special Scion tC for 2012 features an Absolutely Red paint job and sports 18” wheels, a five-piece body kit and spoiler inspired by Troy Sumitomo of Five Axis/Five:AD, and paddle shifters on automatic models to go along with TRD springs and a center mount exhaust.

Further info: http://www.scion.com/tCrs/

RED HOT! My eyes can't take it!!

Me too! I can't stand it! I think I'm gonna get myself some sore eyes!

Okay. It's a bit too nasty to give you some serious sore eyes because of its red color. Let's move on. Now as you may heard before that there was some Japanese TV show guested Korean boy group, BIGBANG. Later on, there was this portion highlighting unique superheroes from across the globe. On that list, there was one that was included and you may wanna guess who's been featured on some Japanese TV show?

(audience murmuring)

Indeed it's DARNA! DARNA's got featured at some Japanese TV show that guested BIGBANG!

Wha...what?

We never thought to see that thing coming but a Philippine superhero just got featured at some Japanese variety show! Wouldn't you believe it?

I can't believe it....No way....

And you would guess what I heard that Dyesebel TV drama, that starred Marian Rivera years ago, is going to air in Malaysia via Tonton TV...not sure but my gosh...

You would probably remember that our old favorite TV drama Mara Clara (not the one with Judy and Gladys on it, the one with Kathryn and Julia on it) was currently on air in Malaysia via TV3 but seriously. A Philippine TV drama...that doesn't work in ASEAN countries,

Surely right. Philippine TV dramas aired on foreign channels never really work. It's like making a good Philippine TV drama and then editing it so it can be shown in foreign channels. We're getting a bit blurred, right?

Yeah. We're getting blurred...But hey, enough about this and back to some more digging from the ANGLOPHENIA blog for more how to cosplay Doctor Who characters and this time, we found something that...um....

What is it?

This time, it's about...Rory Williams. Rory, who is Amy Pond's love interest and...husband. Anyway, here's how to be like him...

1: Hair – ah that lovely light brown moptop crop. Anything messier than a side-parted short-back-and-sides is fine.

2: Jacket – sleeveless dark blue gilet, not hooded. For the man of action who worries about getting a chill on his kidneys.

3: Shirt – red plaid lumberjack number. You could also go for the crimson Vampires In Venice sweater, if you want to stand out from the other Rorys. It’s the gilet that does most of the work.

4: Jeans – Straight leg, stonewashed. Nothing too fashiony.

5: Shoes – Tan suede desert boots.

6: Accessories – A wristwatch with a dark leather strap, and a hand which comes apart to reveal a gun (although this one might be tricky. There again, the rest of the outfit is so straightforward you might as well set yourself a bit of a challenge. I mean this is for Comic-Con, right? There are going to be LOADS of people dressed as Rory, and some of them will be rocking the full Roman outfit, or the soldier number with the black eyepatch. The very least you can do is cut off some of your fingers and insert a gun into the open wound, then somehow find a way to staunch the bleeding so it looks like your hand is made of plasti…oh wait, make a fake hand! Out of actual plastic! Yes, definitely do that!).

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

But we only like Rory when he's a LONE CENTURION. Get it? The plastic centurion stuff because he's cool when he's on that centurion look.

We know, Rory in the LONE CENTURION look is seriously cool but hey! We're almost there!

What?

Tomorrow, ANGLOPHENIA will explain on HOW TO DRESS LIKE AMY POND! We weren't kidding, BBC America's ANGLOPHENIA do mean it because tomorrow, they will explain on how to cosplay as Amy Pond and this would be best if you...bring someone who dress like Amy Pond to take a picture next to a very hot car. Get it?

Oh, I get it now. You want someone who dressed like Amy Pond to take a picture next to a sportscar like Lambos, McLarens, Paganis, Jags, Nobles, Koeniggseggigseigigisseigigisigiis.....HEY! What are you thinking? You're going to expect someone who dressed as Amy Pond to take pictures next to supercars and what was that? This is somewhat like....

...ANG REPORTER NA KALADKAREN...

Kaladkaren....Karen! Yes! But nope, we're not referring to Karen Leslie Dematera from Banana Split. But still, you'll making someone who dressed as Amy Pond as your very own...um...who was that mascot from Ridge Racer?

Reiko Nagase.

Reiko Nagase! Right! You're just imagining things because you're looking at an ultimate petrolhead dream. Have someone to look like Amy Pond from Doctor Who posing next to a supercar but where do you want to take a picture at?

The Top Gear Test Track!

WHAT?!

(laughing)

Anyway, enough about that and hey now, Chumbawamba, the group behind the popular Tubthumping with lyrics that said "get knocked down and up again". It appears that the group has been break up now. That is sad but hey, this is somewhat ironic that Chumbawamba was knocked down forever and never to be up again.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/07/a-few-thoughts-about-chumbawamba/

But I like that Tubthumping song. It's more like a good song if you're a boxer.

That's right and hey now, 4th Philippine International Motor Show is coming this August 16 to 19 at the World Trade Center, Manila and there will be new cars coming on that venue. We don't know what are the new cars to be featured but this would be the biggest this year.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/campi-to-stage-4th-philippine-international-motor-show-in-august

I really want to visit there...

Yeah and just for a reminder for those who are visiting, remember, NO GIRLS! Please don't take pictures of girls modeling next to the cars. As I told you, girls are nothing more than an expensive waste of money for the car show. Do please, we don't need to see idiots taking pictures of girls posing next to the new cars because as suspect...we don't expect to have a massive search overload.

Yeah, do please picture only your friends and the cars. NOT GIRLS POSING NEXT TO THE CARS. Thank you.

That's the news!

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.