THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special 01

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special 01

Those who were big fans of THE IDOLM@STER anime last year may have recognized the Namassuka!? Sunday (生っすか！？サンデー) segment of the series that...well, we really don't get what that is but it's some kind of a variety show that was hosted by Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, and Miki Hoshii. When you look at their false website (http://www.idolmaster-anime.jp/namassuka/index.html) made by the producers, it seems that whole Namasukka!? Sunday part on THE IDOLM@STER anime is all about the challenges that were aimed to made them....well, you know what it is.

Anyway, what we got here is the first of the new THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special range and for the first, they got Takane Shijou, Hibiki Ganaha, and Miki Hoshii all rallied up for a series of challenges offered on this CD and of course, what wouldn't be without a selection of songs offered by Takane, Hibiki, and Miki. To spice it up, the song that was featured from a DLC on THE IDOLM@STER 2 video game, titled きゅんっ! ヴァンパイアガール, is included because when you look at the cover, they're all on their MY DEAR VAMPIRE outfit and this suits it up to the theme.

THE IDOLM@STER ANIM@TION MASTER Namassuka Special 01 may be the first of the all new Namassuka Special range and this range came from the Namassuka!? Sunday show from THE IDOLM@STER but this is a bit more as interesting as a scientist lending you an envelope and when you pull it out, you're straight at the challenge. Think of the Namassuka Special as THE IDOLM@STER ANIMATION MASTER The Challenges because on each CD, an idol has to perform a series of challenges, not on the TV but on the radio because this is an audio CD you're listening. The producers meant to say that...

TRACK LISTINGS:

01:生っすか第一部OPトーク
02:きゅんっ! ヴァンパイアガール(M@STER VERSION)
歌:星井美希、四条貴音、我那覇響
03:貴音チャレンジのコーナー
04:ね~え? 歌:星井美希
05:Believe 歌:我那覇響
06:魂のルフラン 歌:四条貴音
07:響チャレンジのコーナー
08:亜熱帯 ガール 歌:我那覇響
09:かたちあるもの 歌:四条貴音
10:夢で逢えたら 歌:星井美希
11:美希チャレンジのコーナー
12:初恋 ~一章 片想いの桜~ 歌:星井美希、四条貴音、我那覇響
13:閑話休題
14:きゅんっ! ヴァンパイアガール(M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

For English-speaking customers:
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=COCX-37413

Let's Do The News! (August 15, 2012)

And now the news! Now, as you may wondering, we saw a news article about some motorist assaulting an MMDA enforcer in Quezon City. Anyone heard of it? I mean how bad could it be?

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40433/caught-on-video--motorist-mauls-mmda-enforcer

Motorist mauls MMDA enforcer

Worse than we thought but as we saw on that clip...that motorist who drove a Vovlo S60 and assaulted an MMDA officer, see what he did? He points and he smacked him with his hat! Isn't that painful?

Whatever the heck is, we feel sorry for that MMDA enforcer but that man who assaulted that officer though...he said....

"HA?! LALABAN KA? @#$%*&"

...so, who was that driver who assaulted that poor MMDA officer? I tell you who he is, he's Robert 'Blair' Carabuena, a recruitment officer at Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco. He assaulted Saturnino Fabros, the MMDA traffic enforcer. Mang Saturnino said....

"Nagpa-go ako dito kanina, sila naman dumiretso, tapos nung sinabihan ko bakit sila dumiretso, sila pa nagalit. Yun na, bumaba na sila, sinapak ako."

...What rude approach for a tobacco executive to assault an MMDA enforcer. So, what should the MMDA enforcer do against that guy who assault him? I tell you what to do, take him to the court and I sure hope this Robert "Blair" Carabuena should be go to jail for assault and battery against the MMDA enforcer. I mean, what if that MMDA enforcer went back home and got traumatized for that horrible event?

He's going to have very bad dreams about that assault. I mean, think about the MMDA enforcer's work. He's working very hard to support his family. That poor guy. This event gives us a lesson: RESPECT OUR TRAFFIC ENFORCERS.

(audience murmuring)

That's right folks. Respect our traffic enforcers. Anyway, while moving on to the subject of a tobacco executive assaulting the traffic enforcer, you ladies and gents best to get ready and have yourselves be safe because of the arrival of tropical storm Helen because what I've heard, it's signal no. 2 at Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Aurora (north), Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Batanes group of islands.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40475/storm-signal-no--2-up-in-14-provinces-helen-to-exit-ph-thursday-morning

Yeah, everyone please be careful, okay?

Right, and oh! Guys, listen. There's a new Range Rover, here's the pic...

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/land-rover-debuts-lighter-sleeker-2013-range-rover/

You'd never realize that the all new Range Rover looks more of an oversized Evoque with the Explorer's rear lamps on it and on the inside, it's more like an Evoque, even more luxurious. This has got to be the best looking Range Rover ever made and oh....This is the world's first SUV with a revolutionary lightweight all-aluminium monocoque body structure is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body in the outgoing model enabling total vehicle weight savings of up to 420kg.

Cool! This Rangie's gone on a diet but hey, not much info right about now until further notice but I have to say, this looks even more luxurious than the old model. Question is, does it have that cool camera feature from the previous model? I hope so!

(audience laughing)

Anyway, while waiting for Land Rover's judgment, anyway, let's take a look at another one. This one's a concept and it's called the McLaren MP4-12C Can-Am Edition Concept. It looks like the GT3 but the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine was been boosted to generate 630hp of power. That's more powerful than the GT3 version because of the homologation-regulated 500HP.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/08/mclaren-new-track-focused-12c-can-am.html

Wow, I think this is more of a proper-racing machine. I really want to drive one of those...

(audience laughing)

Uh...okay then. And oh, I heard that you're been taking driving lessons earlier. How was it?

Uh...not bad but not good either because...

Because what?

I think I should need more practice on the handling, pedals, turn signals, and oh, that instructor, whose name was Sam Wong, who's in charge of the HONG KONG DRIVING SCHOOL in Seattle, WA, said to me that I need to work on the mirrors, signals, and head turns. Now, in the whole LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT part in case we're approaching a four way area, that's how I need some more work because it requires the right timing because there are vehicles coming at the left and the right. This is somewhat very essential. Sadly though, my first day ended badly because I still need to work on my foot because....

Because what pal?

Because it's too heavy. My right foot's too heavy and I need to work on the accelerator pedals and the brake pedals. Guess I should exercise my big toe of my right foot because...

It needs more practice. I get it now...

(audience laughing)

So, when's your next...

Next week. And this time, I hope I can do better.

Yeah, best to work on your cornering, your head turns, your big toe of your right foot, and your focus because sometimes you've been distracted.

Oh yeah right. Now anyway, moving on....2ch Forum's Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 was begun and guess what? This is the 10th year of 2ch's Japan-only popularity tournament about finding out the best female character of all time. Because most entries involved on any female character in a television anime, anime film, original video anime (OVA), or web anime released in Japan between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, we sure hope that there's tons of new competitors arrived such as the 765PRO ALL STARS from THE IDOLM@STER, Ichika from Ano Natsu de Matteru, Rei Misaki from Another, Koko from Jormungand, the girls from Haganai, and so on on that timeframe.

Gosh, that's a lot of competitors, but what about Ruka Suirenji? She was on last year's Hayate no Gotoku HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH movie. Is she there?

Yes. She is. Anyway, August 14 marks the first day of the first round of the tournament proper. The qualifying 289 characters will now be weeded out in a series of 3-way popularity votes until the top 32 is determined. After that, the rest of the tournament will be a series of 1-on-1 popularity votes. The current status of the Saimoe bracket can be viewed at the Anime Saimoe fan site.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-13/2ch-forum-anime-saimoe-tournament-2012-begins

Remember though, only Japanese 2ch-ers are allowed to take part of the action while you foreign otakus just sit down and watch.

(audience laughing)

Indeed, you were right! Now anyway, there's a lot a buzz about the upcoming season of Doctor Who and earlier, the opener titled ASYLUM OF THE DALEKS...

ASYLUM OF THE DALEKS

...made a world premiere at the British Film Institute in London and my God! Thousands of Whovians flooded the whole BFI just to have their first bite of the opener of the upcoming season of Doctor Who, coming this fall on BBC One. Oh! There was a Q&A session with the show’s stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, as well as showrunner Steven Moffat and Executive Producer Caroline Skinner.

Scoop: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/08/15/%E2%80%98doctor-who%E2%80%99-fans-flock-to-the-bfi-in-london-for-preview-screening/

No wonder Doctor Who was proven to be a worldwide phenomenon ever since it went back in 2005. Those teenagers, those girls who got addicted to that show, those kids, those families, they really really loved that show very much and speaking of turning 50, BBC said that they're making a docu-drama titled An Adventure in Space and Time penned by Doctor Who writer and Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss.

What is it about this...ADVENTURE IN SPACE IN TIME?

It's about how did the people created Doctor Who and how did this British sci-fi series was a worldwide phenomenon. Sadly though, BBC hasn't announced the cast of this docu-drama but the question is...who's going to play as Willam Hartnell? The man who became Doctor Who?

Do you think this is going to be the impossible question? The one that no one shall answer? The question that  we've been running for all our lives?

(audience laughing)

I'm not sure about that but...on that bombshell, that's the news but before I left, The 15th Annual Aki Matsuri will be held at Bellevue College Main Campus, 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007. This was presented by the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association (ENMA), the folks that brought you Sakura-Con. On this year's Aki Matsuri, Japanese culture are presented such as on-stage Performing Arts, Martial Art demonstrations by local dojo members, Puppet Shows based on Japanese Folk Tales, Tea Ceremony and Ikebana demonstrations, J-Pop performances, more than 75 exhibit booths, "Nomi-no-ichi … a Japanese style flea market", and Japanese food booths. Admission and parking is free but some workshops/lectures/seminar require registration and fee.

URL: http://enma.org/2012/overview.htm

See you there!

Who's the Boss?

The Original Boss

This isn't it. What you're looking here is the Original Boss, the Ford Mustang Boss 429. Known to be one of the rarest and most valued muscle cars of all time, there are about 859 Boss 429 models ever made and the engine that powers it comes from the Ford 385 engine. It was based on the modified 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustang because a normal Mustang's bodywork wasn't wide enough to fit this massive engine so, they've enlisted Kar Kraft to do that job. It was produced in 1968 in Brighton, Michigan at Kar-Kraft's factory because of the necessary modifications needed to create a Boss 429.

The 7.0L engine that powered the Boss 429 produces 375 hp (280 kW) and 450 lb·ft (610 N·m) of torque. Originally, this would be over five hundred horsepower but they decided to list 375HP due to legal issues and rising insurance costs. For a special treatment, the Boss 429 comes with special NASCAR identification that was placed on the driver's side door. Each car was given a "KK" number which stood for Kar Kraft. KK #1201 was the first Boss 429 and KK #2558 was the last Boss 429 made.

Sadly, the 429 was short-lived because of poor sales and the 1970 model year served as the last year for the Boss 429. As of 2008, auctions on eBay and at Barrett-Jackson have brought bids of over $350,000.

This was born to be here...

Having driven the Original Boss though, I never realize that why of the most high-performance Mustangs from the past to present are tracing its roots from this one, sadly though, it was short-lived and now a rare classic muscle cars collectors are dying to hunt one of these. Judging by its looks, it reminds me of a classic Boss 302, which is a high-performance Mustang that was made for Trans-Am racing. Designed by a former General Motors employee and built in Michigan, the Boss 302 was part of an effort by the Ford Motor Company to win the coveted SCCA Trans-Am Championship in 1969 and 1970.

Happily however, the Boss 302 was resurrected and this is Mustang Royalty. Oh wait, royalty? What's royalty for American? Presidential? No, can't be right.... anyway...

Meet the new Boss - same as the old Boss

I now had a chance to drive the new model and find out....Bye!

Boss 302 in action!

Now strictly saying, the Mustang Boss 302, in Laguna Seca version, did appeared in last year's Top Gear at the Movies DVD and it was battered by the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS (which is a Holden HSV GTS E3) but what we saw on that clip was the 2012 model year Boss 302. This, however, is the facelifted 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302, the car this is part of the August Playseat Car Pack.

For the 2013 model year, the Boss 302 comes with a new hockey stick graphic featuring reflective stripes, calling back to the 1970 Boss 302. There is now a new SCHOOL BUS YELLOW color, honoring Parnelli Jones's 1970 Trans-Am championship car prepared by Bud Moore. The Laguna Seca version comes with a new Sterling Gray accents and it will be available in School Bus Yellow and black paint offerings. Unlike the previous model, the roof will not feature colored accents.

Anyway, even though it has some refinements on the outside and on the inside, we'd still expect the same performance from the old 2012MY Boss 302 model I drove while I was playing a video game involving a race from San Francisco to New York. 5.0L V8 engine produces about 444HP of power, 380lb-ft of torque, and it can do 0-60mph in something about four seconds. This is a fun muscle car even though you are an idiot driving without a license, oh wait, this is a bonkers muscle car made for the idiots who just want to spend the rest of their lives hooning around city squares, residential areas, anywhere they want, unless if you're ready with a Psychic Paper on your pocket. 

Boss 302 vs. the corkscrew

Like any muscle cars I drove on Forza Motorsport 4, the 2013 Boss 302 feels a bit more dynamic, I know, I said it too much about the whole MILD, STANDARD, and DYNAMIC stuff but that's how cars in this game behave. It's like a choice of either a mild, normal, or strong coffee on your table. If cars are made to be mild, it's essentially easy and made for beginners. If cars are made to be standard, then the power, handling, and something else are well balanced. Cars like the M3, Aventador, R8 V10, R35 GT-R, and the FR-S are considered standard because of the handling allows you to regain grip, the power, the weight, everything that keeps them afloat and balanced. If a car that is dynamic, like Aston Martins, muscle cars from the USA, Holden HSV's, and selected exotics like the SLS AMG, Diablo, Venom GT, Koenigsegg, and the Noble M600, then these are not made for the beginners. They're made for the bravest and experienced drivers on this game. Sure, they're made to twist and shout in style, they've highly difficult to regain its grip. 

The 2013 Boss 302 was fit into that category. DYNAMIC can be put it into CHALLENGING but not all can be DYNAMIC and CHALLENGING if you put it an effort to master different machines regardless of power, size, and the driving feel.

Then and now - 492 and 302

I really loved the new Boss 302 and if I put it next to the old Boss 492, this whole "Then and Now" comparison really shows that where are they now but the question is....WHO'S THE BOSS? To find out, I decided to put these two round the Top Gear Test Track...

The Boss 429, the old one, did it in 1:33.907 while the 2013 Boss 302 did it in 1:25.687 so I finally came to the conclusion that the new Boss 302 is THE BOSS. Sure, it maybe a mid-ranged Mustang that slots between the normal and the hardcore GT500 but hey, at least the four-decade absence really made Ford learned their lesson about bringing back the Boss. Job done....

Let's Do The News! (August 13, 2012)

Olympics logo

And now let's do the news and oh, the London 2012 Olympics has come to an end, 17 days of blood, sweat, and tears poured off the Olympic Stadium and the world's finest athletes pushed their strengths and weaknesses by showing what they can really do. As for the Philippine Olympians, bad luck. They did their best and they got none. Nothing, nada, neal, no, zero, waley, the square root of JAAAAG.

(audience laughing)

Right, anyway, London 2012 may have come to an end but the fight goes on because the next Summer Olympics will be in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. Anyway, the best five countries that got the most gold medals were...

1) The United States of America scored 46 Gold Medals
2) China scored 38 Gold medals
3) Great Britain, the hosting country, scored 29 Gold Medals
4) Russia, better known as the Soviet Union, scored 24 Gold Medals
5) South Korea scored 13 Gold Medals

Congratulations and thank you for participating the London 2012 Olympics, despite controversies and Twitter wars. Get it? Twitter wars!

(audience laughing)

Anyway, while waiting for the next four years in Rio, what's up?

Well, Rhys Millen's done it again folks! A new world record and overall victory at the 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb with his 2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Pikes Peak version!

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Pikes Peak Version (2012)

Scoop: http://news.gnom.es/pr/rhys-millen-sets-new-world-record-at-2012-pikes-peak-hill-climb-in-race-prepared-hyundai-genesis-coupe

Excellent! Great! It appears that the fastest growing South Korean carmaker in the world is dominating the Pikes Peak and being the king of the hill! Last year, he broke the ten minute barrier with his purpose-built PM580 and hey, it seems that dominating the Pikes Peak became the Millen family bloodline. Rhys and his father, Rod Millen, really did worked hard to rule the Pikes Peak with Hyundais but hey, the chemistry really worked!

Uh huh. I just hope more power for the RMR team next year and anyway, congratulations.

Congratulations for dominating the Pikes Peak, again. This goes to show that the Genesis Coupe is always be the king of Pikes Peak no matter what.

Yeah, right. Better than Suzukis.

(audience laughing)

Okay, the tuning scene is spiraling out of control right now and recently, Overfinch showcased us some tricked-out versions of the Range Rover Sport, called the Sport GTS-X, and the Range Rover Evoque, called the GTS. All tuned up and ready to make some noise.

Overfinch Range Rover Sport GTS-X

Overfinch Range Rover Evoque GTS

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/overfinch-reveals-a-pair-of-high-end-eye-candy-range-rovers

Anyway, what they said that the GTS-X is the most powerful of the tuned Range Rovers in the Overfinch line because of its modified 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine and a new driver-controlled valve release exhaust system that generates about 575HP of power. Both these tuned Range Rovers from Overfinch will be on display at next month's London Salon Prive. So what do you guys think?

I think they looked horrible when it comes to their bright coloring and it feels like Willy Wonka made those.

(audience laughing)

Okay, not quite good enough, how about this?

Walkinshaw Performance Holden Cruze

Walkinshaw Performance tweaked the Holden Cruze, which is the Aussie equivalent of the global Chevy Cruze, by pushing the 1.4L engine's output to 241 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/12/walkinshaw-performance-tunes-holden-version-of-chevrolet-cruze-t/

You know, just by tweaking the 1.4L engine with something on it, I never thought that Walkinshaw Performance spend some time off tuning up this engine to give the Cruze some kicking to the Aussie streets. This would be the coolest tuned Cruze I have ever heard, right?

Yeah, right. So anyway, while we heard the news that Gelli de Belen will be replacing Amy Perez on Face To Face, we thought this would happen but, tomorrow, this is it! This is the moment! This is the moment we've been looking for. On the August 14, 2012 episode of Face To Face under the banner of ‎"Anak, ibang nanay ang ipinakilala sa pamanhikan! Bulag na magulang, ikinahiya at tinaguan?!", that's where Gelli De Belen makes an appearance and what Amy Perez might said before she will leave Face To Face for a while.

So what do you think? Time for a regeneration after Amy Perez's two year tenure?

(audience laughing)

Think so but be sure to watch Face To Face on TV5 tomorrow, okay?

Right!

So, moving on. While the Philippines are recovering from last week's storm, it seems that there's another one battering our country with a new typhoon named Helen and geez, how bad could that be?

Well, badly! Signal 1 is issued in Northern Luzon particularly Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, Batanes, and Calayan Group of Islands. 

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40268/helen-intensifies-into-tropical-storm-storm-signal-no--1-up-in-northern-luzon

Oh no! We've been battered by the monsoon once but now, another typhoon ready to batter us again with more floods, more landslides, and more misery! I hope not!

Yeah, we really hope it's not as powerful as the habagat that battered us last week. Oh, there's another worst happened.

What is it?

Lighting strikes disrupted part of the operations of the Light Rail Transit's Line 2, which runs from Recto in Manila to Santolan in Pasig City.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40274/lightning-strike-disrupts-part-of-lrt2

Oh, geez....

Anyway, while tracking the worst stuff happening, let's move on to something a bit more...sensible because former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo undergoes check-up for titanium plates blocking her breathing.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40255/gma-to-undergo-check-up-for-titanium-plates-blocking-her-breathing

You know, I find it very awkward to see Arroyo wearing that titanium plate because she feels like she's playing Pinoy Henyo all by herself!

(audience laughing)

A self-playing Pinoy Henyo? Ahem...

What? What I just said?

Whatever. Anyway, have you guys watched THE WOMEN OF DOCTOR WHO special on BBC America? Anyway, after watching the whole special, who's your favorite Doctor Who girl? Mine I'd pick Amy Pond because she's quite special to me. So special, that actress Karen Gillan did a really good job being her. What about you hamster?

I like Rose Tyler because she's the kind the girl who calmed The Doctor's rage ever since the series returned in 2005. She was once revived a Dalek by touching it but on the season finale, where Rose absorbed all of the TARDIS' time vortex and defeated the entire Daleks, even the Emperor of the Daleks. She's cool, she's heart-warming, she's charming, and overall, she's the Doctor Who fan favorite. Don't forget that. She's the fan favorite; beating out faves such as Sarah Jane, Donna Noble, and others from the classic and modern Who. What about you slow?

I'd go for Donna Noble.

What?

(audience laughing)

Why Donna?

Donna Noble (played by Catherine Tate)

Because she's funny but mostly, she's bossy. Most of all, she often corrects The Doctor's mistakes, like at the near end of The Fires of Pompeii episode, where after Donna and the Tenth Doctor erupted the Vesuvius volcano to defeat the Pyroviles and escape Pompeii, it seems that Donna thinks that it's wrong for the Tenth Doctor to leave the Caecilius family rot to death and decided to rescue them. That's how I like Donna. Even though she and The Tenth Doctor have hilarious moments, sometimes Donna is always right and the Tenth Doctor's wrong when it comes to making a crucial choice....

(...several cups of tea later)

....Martha Jones wasn't bad either because she maybe rivaling the Tenth Doctor's intelligence but she's a strong-willed character, the kind of companion that she'll never give up no matter how hard can it be. On that series 3 finale, after Martha, Captain Jack, The Doctor, and the others defeated The Master, she decided that her term as the Tenth Doctor's companion is over because she has to stay in Earth and help other people.....

(...and a couple of biscuits)

...River Song? She's quite an eccentric ally but hey, I maybe not a fan of her but I think she's one of the coolest probably I like her when she's holding her blaster. If you need help from an escape artist, then River's your answer.

(yawn)What a long list of stories you're telling. Anyway, next week on BBC America tackles more on the timey-wimey stuff, whether he's time-travelling at the past, present, future, whatever you may like. WIBBLY WOBBLY TIMEY WIMEY STUFF.

(audience laughing)

Right, enough Doctor Who fandom right now and on that bombshell, that's the news!

The Bond Car during the Timothy Dalton years

The Bond car from The Living Daylights

Of course, this is the Bond Car as seen on The Living Daylights starring Timothy Dalton as James Bond himself. It's a 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Talk about being in your element! On that movie, Bond's V8 Vantage comes with gizmos developed specifically on this car such as tire spikes, jet engine at the back of the license plate, retractable outriggers, missles, lasers, bulletproof windows, fireproof exterior, and a feature that allows this car to self-destruct! Whoa! A car that can self-destruct! Amazing! I just wanna have that car but....what you're looking up here doesn't have those Bond gizmos on this car. What it is is just a normal classic Aston V8 Vantage on Forza 4.

Race before the avalanche

So, what is it then this classic Vantage? This car was dubbed as the first supercar made in Great Britain thanks to its top speed of 170mph. The titular V8 engine though, it was derived from the Lagonda but with added camshafts, compression ratio, big inlets, and huge carburettors on it. For starters, this 5.3L V8 engine generates about 394HP of power and it can do 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds. On the outside, it comes with a blanked bonnet vent and a separate rear spoiler. The Oscar India variant from 1978 comes with an integrated tea-tray spoiler and smoother bonnet bulge while the inside comes with the black leather-covered dash. Power of the engine was increased to 390HP of power. For the 1986 model year, engine power's upgraded to 405HP. Production began in 1977 and ended in 1989, with a total of 534 units built; 342 were the hardtop model while 192 were the Volante convertible. This was replaced by the Virage.

A classic grand tourer that is perfectly British

From the looks of it, it kinda reminds me of the first-generation Ford Mustang because, look at the outside. If you put both the classic Vantage and the classic Mustang side by side, it looks nearly identical but unlike the Mustang which is all about being redneck and being hotter than a Hickory Smoke Sausage, the classic 1977 Aston V8 Vantage will make you saying that it reminds them of the hunt. Sure, Brits love the skunk smell, the werewolves, well a bad case of diary-uh! (laughing) Anyway, with that metaphor's burning my head, this classic Vantage is all about being quintessentially British even though the outside kinda feels like an American muscle car.

Even though this car has some old-school features and the fact that this has no radio on it, I really don't care about what does this classic Aston got. Looking back at the roots of the Aston Vantage feels like I'm sitting for a history lesson, with a little bit boring on it. Because it looks like an American muscle car, it feels like an American muscle car and with that, I think the 1977 Aston Martin V8 Vantage possesses a dynamic driving feel so beginners might have a hard time regaining its grip. For a skilled driver, the classic Vantage looks more fun to gunning down the Alps, like a Bond flick.

It's quite a bonkers British sportscar this but I believe that's how V8 Vantages from different generations traced its roots to this. It maybe a Bond car minus the weapons and gizmos but I think I need to try harder to master the classic Vantage's dynamic driving feel because such mistake may cost me precious seconds or worse, I could get off-course. This car is not made for the timid but it's made for the coolest drivers in the Forza nation.

Third-generation Atenza (Mazda 6) will not have the Sport variant

Third-generation Mazda Atenza

Ever since the Mazda Atenza (known as the Mazda 6 for the global market) was launched in 2002, and then regenerated in 2008, the variants they offered were the sedan, the Sport Wagon, and the 5-door Sport variant. However, things have changed because for the upcoming third-generation Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6), the body style will offer has just been reduced to two body styles; Sedan and Sport Wagon.

The 5-door Sport variant has now been dropped, meaning that the third-generation model will never have the Sport model, the one that offer a manual transmission on it. That's seem to be sad that for the next model, no more 6-speed manual-laden Sport model is offered and what the hell? The hopes of having the very first Mazda model to come with the SKYACTIV-MT model has been dashed. When will Mazda offer the 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT for the Japanese market? No hope....

Currently, Mazda has three SKYACTIV models; the Demio, the Axela, and the CX-5.

Scoop:  http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Tn201208050026.html

March K13 vs. Mirage A05A

Nissan March K13

Mitsubishi Mirage A05A

Both these fuel-efficient Japanese compact eco-cars, the Nissan March K13 and the all new Mitsubishi Mirage (A05A), were imported from Thailand. The K13 March was assembled in Samut Prakan while the all new Mirage was made in Laem Chabang. Tell you what though, which of these low-cost, made-in-Thailand Japanese eco-cars we think is better? It's Samut Prakan vs. Laem Chabang. Those Thais were getting crazy for letting us comparing their works.

Here's what's what...

NISSAN MARCH K13

Price: 1,036,350 - 1,644,300 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 18.4 - 23.0km/L

Weight: 940- 1,040kg

Engine: 1.2L HR12DE 3-cylinder DOHC CVTC engine

Power: 79PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE (A05A)

Price: 998,000 - 1,288,000 Japanese Yen

Fuel Economy (JC08): 23.0 - 27.2km/L

Weight: 960-970kg

Engine: 1.0L 3A90 3-cylinder DOHC MIVEC engine

Power: 64PS

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

Let me put it this way, the new Mirage is a bit slower than the March K13 but let's not forget that this one has a fuel economy of 27.2km/L, that's more than the K13 but with the weight of 960kg when you go for the entry level E variant, it seems that's 20kg heavier than the entry-level March K13's 12S V Package.

When it comes to their interiors, it seems that the Nissan March K13 has a step ahead against the new Mirage's interior. Even though their a bit plain and as comfortable as a Philippine taxi, both the interiors are a bit too cheap and when you're in a driver's seat, it feels like you're in the passenger seat when it comes to its driving feel. With the seating for five, you can take three kids at the back and your wife next to you. Or, you can bring your barkadas for a trip to the mall or at McDonald's.

When it comes to the price, the Mirage is cheaper than the March K13 because it costs at around 998,000 Japanese Yen, cheaper than the March K13's 1,036,350 Japanese Yen intro price.

So here's a top tip; if you want a Thai-made Japanese eco-car that is cheap and fuel efficient, get a Mirage. Just saying....