Let's Do The News! (November 6, 2012)

Today, we're not doing some stupid stuff like we normally do all the time because what we have here is this...

River's Diary

What we have here is River Song's Diary and what we're going to do now is read what's inside River's Diary. We promise not to tell spoilers because what we do here instead is alter it with the news. The news...in River's Diary. Let's read it one-by-one...

A Russian teen committed suicide because of the death of his favorite character:

I just heard that somewhere in Russia, there was a 14-year old boy committed suicide after witnessing a death of his favorite anime character. Really? Does this kid had the guts to finish his life just because he witnessed his favorite anime character died? Maybe the father of the deceased kid said that he's spent too much time watching TV and can't tell if it's real or fiction. That teenage Russian, whose name was Leonid Hmelev, leapt more than 100ft to hisdeath from the top of an apartment block after witnessing an episode of Naruto Shippuden where the one when Itachi Uchiha died. Tsk...tsk...tsk...Can't believe his favorite Naruto character was the bad guy. Itachi's death was showcased at the manga four years ago. Maybe he should better off reading that manga. Oh wait, do they have some Naruto manga volumes in Russia? I don't know...

Scoop: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2226324/Russian-teen-leaps-apartment-block-seeing-favourite-Japanese-cartoon-character-die-television.html

2013 Seat Ibiza Cupra Minor Change:

A couple of months ago, while in Beijing, SEAT showcased a facelifted version of the hotter Ibiza Cupra, which was based on the facelifted 2013 SEAT Ibiza range. Sadly though, it's just a pre-production concept car. Now, SEAT, the Spanish subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, has just unveiled the finished product, which will go on sale next year. Nuevo Ibiza Cupra...the one with the state-of-the-art 1.4 TSI twincharger that can go from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 228 km/h - and yet exceptionally efficient, with average fuel consumption of just 5.9 litres/100 km. Huh, seems that the TSi twincharger engine still has some life around here...

2013 Seat Ibiza Cupra

Full Story: http://www.netcarshow.com/seat/2013-ibiza_cupra/

Blacktop Editions for every Dodge models:

Dodge tries to boost their lineup with the addition of special edition Blacktop models on 2013MY Avenger, Challenger R/T and Charger R/T. These models come with the gloss-black wheels, gloss-black grilles, black headlight surrounds and body-colored spoilers.

2013 Dodge Avenger Blacktop Edition

Scoop: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121102/CARNEWS/121109940

Renault will bring Alpine back with Caterham's help:

Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept

Hmmm....it appears that the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept car really sparked some interest to make sure Renault can bring the legendary Alpine brand back in the future. However, having the Renault-Nissan Alliance bringing the legendary Alpine brand back takes some help from British racing-car company Caterham Cars. Wow, quite a coincidence there and it says that they will collaborate with the costs of designing, developing and manufacturing a family of sports cars that would be available in about four years. How exciting...

Scoop: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204349404578101001222546918.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Suzuki bids sayonara to the US Car Industry:

Another one bites the rust, well metaphorically. It seems that the US Subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation has filed for bankruptcy. What does this mean? Well, we won't be expecting new Suzuki cars and trucks in the United States once current supplies run out because of low sales volumes, a limited number of models in its lineup, unfavorable foreign exchange rates, the high costs associated with growing and maintaining an automotive distribution system in the continental US and the disproportionally high and increasing costs associated with stringent state and federal regulatory requirements unique to the US market.

Instead, Suzuki USA will be focusing on motorcycles, ATVs, and watercraft. Those who own existing Suzuki cars got themselves covered with honored warranties, and parts will reportedly be made available. Suzuki will continue to sell automobiles in other countries, naturally, including its home market of Japan.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/american-suzuki-motors-files-chapter-11-will-no-longer-sell-car/

Philippine Volcanoes qualify for Rugby World Cup:

Ah, Philippine Volcanoes...Nope. Not the big scary ones that has Taal or Mayon on it. It's those big, brawny rugby players known as the Philippine Volcanoes. When I said brawny, I mean look at their muscles, their biceps. They look like something big....something meaty...something...oh dear...Why I am writing that? Anyway, these big brawny Volcanoes landed themselves a qualifying rank of 3rd place to the Rugby World Cup Sevens! Team captain, Harry Morris, just said that they are fantastic to be in the Rugby World Cup. This is the first time these guys made it to the world cup! Let's hope these big brawny volcanoes erupt their true potential to the world....

Scoop: http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?articleid=866937&publicationsubcategoryid=69

Are Toyota dealers in the Philippines illicitly selling the 86?:

There was some haka-haka going around here that some Toyota dealers in the Philippines are illicitly selling the ultra-popular 86 coupe with some sales representatives supposedly pushing prospective customers to purchase additional accessories for the car in exchange for a guaranteed spot on the car's lengthy waiting list. Well, the truth is that...well, here's what the explanation done by Toyota Motor Philippines;

"There have been cases where a customer who placed an order for the 86 along with its matching accessories would back out on the accessories ordered once it arrives at the dealers," said one source. "Left with the accessories, it's understandable that some of our dealers would offer them to another buyer of the 86. It may have happened a few times where they'd push the accessories to a buyer of the 86, but we'd like to assure our customers that forcing them to buy the accessories just to be able to buy the 86 is not a standard business practice we condone."

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/are-some-toyota-dealers-illicitly-selling-the-86

Is the 40MPG claim from Hyundai and Kia a big fat lie?:

I just picked up something that the US subsidiary of Hyundai and Kia are on the issue regarding the incorrect 40MPG. It seems that they've initiated a voluntary campaign to re-evaluate economy ratings for about 350,000 vehicles sold between 2010 and 2012, re-label all affected vehicles currently in North American showrooms, and provide monetary reimbursement to all affected current and former customers. It's ashamed that the US EPA are addressing some complaints to the Korean automotive giant regarding fuel economy. Tough luck...

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/epa-discovers-hyundai-kia-have-inflated-fuel-economy-figures

Cars that are fighting to vie the crown as 2012-2013 Japan Car of the Year:

You may remember that in the 2012-2013 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame (JAHFA) Car of the Year, the Honda N BOX+ won while the VW up! became 2012-2013 JAHFA Import Car of The Year and Design of the Year, and Mazda CX-5 SKYACTIV-D 2.2L won the 2012-2013 JAHFA Technology of the Year. Now, let us introduce to some of the top 10 cars fighting to become the 2012-2013 JCOTY:

1) Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S - The Toyobaru collaboration really made these sport coupes the must have for 2012 but will it be the one?

2) Nissan Note - HR12DDR Supercharged 1.2L engine is very fuel efficient but is it good to be on that spot?

3) Honda N BOX/N BOX+ - Sure the N BOX+ won the 2012-2013 JAHFA Car of the Year, but can lightning strike twice for this kei car?

4) Mazda CX-5 - the SKYACTIV-D 2.2L clean diesel engine really revolutionized the world and hey, it won the 2012-2013 JAHFA Technology of the Year, but is there a chance to redeem itself?

5) Suzuki Wagon R/Wagon R Stingray - Kudos to its Suzuki ENECHARGE mild-hybrid system that propelled this kei car to a TNP27 Move-killing 28.8km/L fuel economy. Can this new Suzuki Green Technology be number one?

6) Volkswagen up! - It maybe imported but this is Japan's best selling import car. Can the up! shines through the 2012-2013 Japan Import Car of the Year? I hope it is...

7) BMW 3-Series Sedan/Touring - The new model might be more civilized than the old one but...can it impress the Japanese motoring press?

8) Citroen DS5 - The flagship of the Citroen DS range...Is there chance for the DS5 to redeem itself?

9) Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The most beautiful Italian hatchback in the world but can the Giulietta's beauty be the winner?

10) Range Rover Evoque - With its crossover looks and Victoria Beckham-influenced design, the Evoque is all about the POWER OF PRESENCE...but is it enough to be the IMPORT CAR OF THE YEAR?

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/special/1234825/

Forza Horizon: Cowboys and Grand Cherokees...

This ranch sure knows how to tame this!

By the moment I drive the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, I feel like I'm the sort of idiot who wears a stetson and some racing overalls, ready for some bullriding at the bar. Better yet, this is like an Irish bar fight! Wait, am I saying that loud, am I? Never mind...

Gotcha my little beauty!

...but still, I'm more than happy to take the wheel of the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. It maybe the heaviest of the SRT family, probably because this is a crossover made for those who are living in a western ranch and wearing stetsons for everyday lives but with the 6.4L HEMI V8 you get from the Charger SRT8, it packs a punch. It would be perfect enough to make some trouble in Colorado, if you are engaging in a playground game in Horizon. With the added weight, that makes it perfect to ram your rivals while you're shouting "get out of the way!" and makes you want to play dirty thanks to its 4WD layout.

Grand Cherokees are made for tackling any type of terrain whether if its asphalt or dirt and this, the SRT8, does really want to pull everything it got to have the massive V8 engine do the work for itself. This was made for the hairy-chested drivers, those who are brave enough to get down and dirty with this one and if you are noob for this one, well I'm sorry. You'd better off with an everyday car.

The out-of-towner

I drove the previous model in FM3 and FM4 and I gotta say that the SRT8 version of Jeep's flagship Grand Cherokee kinda sacrificed its handling for the sake of added acceleration and power. This is somewhat a muscle car in a SUV's clothing, if you know what I mean. Now, with this new version I'm driving, I'm getting a totally new difference. This is "riding cowboy" to a whole new level. Better get my stetsons on because this new Jeep SRT8 is a bulky high-performance crossover that sure loves to wrestle anyone that stands on its way.

Forza Horizon: This must be the GT-R I was expecting to drive!!!!

Looks good when it's nighttime

Yes, I know. Even though the hopes of FM4 bringing the 2012 Nissan GT-R has been nixed due to some "various circumstances", this kind of GT-R is truly the one we really want if I want to duel it out against the Jaguar XKR-S on the straights.

And now, due to numerous circumstances, Forza Horizon (finally) brought the current version of the Nissan GT-R. The 2012 (US 2013MY) Nissan GT-R Black Edition! The one we saw beating up the Ferrari 458, Lexus LFA, Mustang Boss 302, and others in 2011's World's Greatest Drag Race! Sadly this year, it's been beaten by the McLaren MP4-12C and the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. But still, it's a quick car. Quicker on the straights, and quicker on the corners.

Attacking through the Finley Dam

One of the things I find it peculiar about the latest version was that it was made from a hermetically sealed factory, most of its components are heated to the same temperature before assembly, and how the tires are filled in nitrogen because it's more stable than air. All those parts; the body, the brakes, the 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine, the steering, the new dual-clutch gearbox, all linked to sing the song of speed in perfect harmony.

Speaking of which, thanks to such adjustments, I can say that it's getting a bit more easier to handle and faster to outrun any sportscar of its class. Also, the launch control rigged on the GT-R gets me through a quick rocket start, so when there goes the starting signal, the launch control gets the GT-R ahead of its rivals and with all of its might, it can outturn, outpace, and outrun everyone of its class. I mean, how happy am I driving this kind of GT-R anyway? (laughing)

Moonlight Serenade

It maybe a JDM supercar that behaves normally in Colorado and better on straight lines against sportscars that are five times the GT-R's pricing but with great respect comes great responsibility. This car was not made for show-offing against your pals. You need to show how much of a driver you are while driving this improved GT-R. You need to show how worthy and how capable to master this 4WD monster and if you do, the results will be more rewarding but that's okay. It doesn't matter if you're not concentrating because this is an incredibly easy car. It's not mild, it's not dynamic, it's well-balanced in every single aspect and no matter how good or bad your driving is, the GT-R is always respecting your agenda.

So what can I say? This is the best GT-R ever driven in Horizon. No wonder this car got the respect it deserved...

Forza Horizon: How ALIVE am I in the XKR-S?

A big Jag up against a shiny new Beamer in Beaumont

When I first drive the new Jaguar XKR-S in FM4 a couple of months ago, I was impressed to meet up with the Jag that once said that this is the most powerful model they've ever made, probably because of its 300kph top speed, 5.0L Supercharged V8 engine, or probably because this is the only Jag I like. It should have been a fantastic Jag for track-day use...but it let me down probably because it's not enough to tackle against others, especially the GT-R I sure wish to want...

To ease all of the stress, I decided to drive the XKR-S on Horizon and hey, all that sojourn payed off to make me happy. Happy enough to drive the XKR-S all over Colorado. This Jag made me ALIVE to drive it.

Horizon players who drove a Jag like this made them feel alive to take part in various Horizon races and with such respect, this Jaguar XKR-S is truly a fun car built to do all sorts of fun stuff all over Colorado, except to some parts that the XKR-S isn't capable of, like for instance the golf course which is nearby the Media Center where you can make your car jump and make trouble with your friends at the game of King. I tried putting my XKR-S in a game of King at some golf course nearby the Media Center and it's a disaster, I can't keep up catching the King but never mind. At least, it's well-played for my Jag.

I love this Jag. It has all of the grunt, the power, and the style to woo the crowd and make some trouble in Horizon. And wherever I want this Jag go, it not only made me staying alive but feel alive.

HOW ALIVE ARE YOU?

 

Formula One 2012 Abu Dhabi GP Update

F1 2012

In a scale of unfortunate events occurred in the entire F1 2012 history, this year's Abu Dhabi GP race sees the win of Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen even though this race is all drama and all thrills. As of now, the team standings led by Red Bull Racing in 442 points, Ferrari in 340 points, and McLaren in 318 points. Driver standings as of now is...led...by...Sebastian Vettel in 255 points, Fernando Alonso in 245 points, and Kimi Raikkonen in 198 points.

PRESS RELEASE:


Race - Raikkonen wins for Lotus in Abu Dhabi thriller 04 Nov 2012
       
Kimi Raikkonen held Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at bay in a super-dramatic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Yas Marina on Sunday evening, to score Lotus's long overdue first 2012 victory in great style. But a blend of great driving, superb strategic work and pure luck with safety-car interventions saw Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel retain his championship lead with a strong third place after starting on medium tyres from the pit lane.

For the first 19 laps it seemed like Lewis Hamilton's race, even after an early safety car between Laps Nine and 14 after Mercedes' Nico Rosberg flew spectacularly over the rear of Narain Karthikeyan's HRT on Lap Nine as the Indian was slowing with hydraulic problems. Hamilton soon pulled away again at the restart, and was 3.4s ahead of fast-starting Raikkonen when his McLaren lost power and he pulled off at Turn 14 on the 20th lap.

The first safety car helped Vettel to recover from his pit-lane start and a brush with Williams' Bruno Senna which damaged his front wing. There was an unusual moment when Daniel Ricciardo seemed to brake suddenly whilst behind the safety car and in avoiding his Red Bull stable mate, Vettel further damaged his wing on a DRS marker board by the side of the track. A subsequent early pit stop for used soft tyres and a new nose and wing on the 13th lap dropped him back again.

At that stage the focus was on the way Raikkonen pulled away as Alonso put increasing pressure on Williams' Pastor Maldonado for second place as Red Bull's Mark Webber and McLaren's Jenson Button gave chase. Vettel was 12th.

Maldonado succumbed to Alonso on Lap 21, but on the 23rd lap Webber was involved in an incident when trying to pass Maldonado which saw the Red Bull half spin and lose places to Button, Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Sauber's Sergio Perez. Three laps later Webber had an incident with Massa, which saw the Brazilian spin.

By the time the pit stops had been made, from the 27th to the 31st laps, Raikkonen was only 1.4s clear of Vettel, and it had now became a matter of whether he could get through the remaining 23 laps on the same rubber as Alonso and Button battled in his wake. 

The answer was that he couldn't, but a superbly timed stop on the 37th lap saw him take a set of fresh softs and drop only to fourth, crucially keeping ahead of a frenetic battle between Grosjean (who had been hit early on by Rosberg), Paul di Resta (who had been involved in a first-corner collision with Force India team mate Nico Hulkenberg and Senna), a recovering Perez and Webber.

Di Resta and Grosjean had both had to pit on the first lap, and now the Scot found a way by the Frenchman on the 38th lap, but as Perez attempted to pass both of them he hit Grosjean and spun, and Webber was left with nowhere to go. The safety car was deployed again from Laps 38 to 42 as the wreckage of Grosjean's and Webber's cars was cleared away, and Perez was subsequently given a 10s stop and go penalty.

In the closing laps Raikkonen controlled things perfectly, as Alonso launched a massive challenge for the victory with a flurry of fastest laps which reduced the gap from 3.2s on the 46th lap to 0.8s by the finish. Vettel went from being 29.8s down on Raikkonen to just 3.3s thanks to the second safety car deployment, after which he hounded Button until he was able to slip by on the 52nd lap before slashing the deficit to his two title rivals.

Button took a lonely fourth, with Maldonado surviving all his dramas to bring home 10 crucial points for Williams as Kamui Kobayashi made the best of a relatively quiet race to take sixth for Sauber. Massa was seventh, chased hard by Senna and Di Resta, as Ricciardo took the final point for Toro Rosso after overhauling team mate Jean-Eric Vergne. The Frenchman was also overtaken by Mercedes' Michael Schumacher, whose chance of points was ended late on by a right-rear puncture.

Heikki Kovalainen had a strong run for Caterham to 13th ahead of Marussia's Timo Glock, who just fended off Perez by two-tenths of a second by the flag, with Vitaly Petrov taking 16th for Caterham ahead of HRT survivor Pedro de la Rosa.

The result leaves Vettel 10 points ahead of Alonso, 255 to 245, with Raikkonen retaining third with 198. In the constructors' stakes, Red Bull have 422 points from Ferrari on 340, McLaren on 318 and Lotus on 288.

Scoop: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/11/14021.html

This is it! Two more races left for this season and the semi-finals will be in November 18, 2012 in the USA. Can S. Vettel keep the lead in the standings till the very end? We'll find that answer to this question soon.

New Skoda Rapid and New Seat Toledo

This is the first of one of today's offerings. It's the new age of Skoda, the first of its kind, a compact sedan. The Skoda Rapid. It maybe essentially a production version of the MissionL concept car as seen on 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show but this one though is a bit more clever than that...

2013 Skoda Rapid

Now, if you're from India, then to you, your India's Rapid is different from our Rapid. As I want to say, the real Skoda Rapid we'll talk about is the new one. The real one. The made-in-Mladá Boleslav one. The one from the Paris Motor Show. Not the poor man's Rapid which was made in Pune. Indian Rapids had the old Skoda badge on it while the Rapid that was made in Mlada Boleslav, Czech, has the new Skoda trademark front as well as the new Skoda logo. See the difference? Yep, it stays true to its brand slogan; "Simply Clever".

Hopefully, I don't want anyone from India reading this article or searching for it. Anyway, this new Rapid is coming back fighting and the most powerful version as of now is the 1.4 TSi model that produces 122PS of power, 0-100kph time of 9.5 seconds, and top speed of 206kph. Most fuel efficient is the one with the 1.6 TDi engine mated with the 5-speed manual that promises combined consumption of 23.8km/L (4.2l/100km). There are other engine types available such as the 1.2 MPi, 1.2 TSi, and a 1.6 TDi with 105PS power output and whichever engine you're on, transmission offerings will be a 5-speed MT, 6-speed MT, or a 7-speed DSG.

Prices start at about 289,000 Koruna or about an estimated 11,500 Euros for the basic Skoda Rapid Active 1.2 MPi 5MT varnat up to 459,900 Koruna or about an estimated 18,210 Euros for the top of the line Skoda Rapid Elegance 1.4 TSi 7-speed DSG model.

2013 Skoda Rapid interior

It looks nice though and somewhat practical because what's underneath the Rapid is a chassis from the current generation Volkswagen Polo, which means there's a bit of cleverness going on. Sure, Skoda is the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, the Germans have done it again to keep the new Rapid well-made for the developing markets, even China's going to get one of these soon.

2013 Skoda Rapid

It may look like a saloon car but it is essentially a 5-door liftback promising a luggage capacity of 550 litres. That makes it a good compact car all-round for everyday use and I think the all new Rapid could claim to be Czech's first of its kind.

However, it must now face this. A car that seems to be the identical twin of the Skoda Rapid...

2013 Seat Toledo

The se habla español SEAT Toledo. It's back. The compact saloon is back and now it uses the same aesthetics from the Skoda Rapid. It might be more of the production version of the concept version as seen from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show but by the looks of it, the Seat Toledo's dramatic design blows the Rapid out of the water. It looks even more premium and stylish unlike any other compact saloons in this category.

2013 Seat Toledo interior

Even though the new Toledo, like the new Rapid, comes with the same engine choices such as the 1.2 MPi, 1.2 TSi, 1.4 TSi, and the 1.6 TDi engine but when it comes to dimensions, the Toledo is longer than the Rapid thanks to its long wheelbase.

2013 Seat Toledo

However, there are a couple of chinks behind the Toledo's elegance; while the Rapid costs about an estimated 11,500 Euros for the entry-level grade, the entry-level grade for the Toledo will cost you 13.990 Euros, that's more than the Rapid even though they are made at the same line and they used the same A05+ platform. Also, the Toledo's less wider than the Rapid. You really can't tell which one has a wide stance.

But still, the Toledo is much more better looking than the Rapid because while the Rapid is focused to be more simple but the new Toledo is very stylish, very practical, and very emotional in every corner. These two compact saloons is what the Czech and the Spanish are capable of in the midst of the Euro Debt Crisis that hampering European carmakers for days but would they work in today's economy? You'll have to find that out soon...

Photo: Skoda Auto, SEAT

Toki Onjouji is 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament winner

The winner of the 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament from our pals from 2channel, well...is this...

Toki Onjouji

Toki Onjouji from Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A.

She's voiced by Yui Ogura, she knocked down one of the Achiga-hen lead characters in the past Saimoe rounds, and overall, she knocked down Kuro Matsumi by a 20-pt gap.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-11-03/2ch-forum-anime-saimoe-tournament-2012-semifinals-finals

And that is the end of this year's Anime Saimoe Tournament! Thank you very much for those characters who participated. Good-bye! Woo-hoo!!!!