Subaru Forester Fourth Generation (SJ)

2013 Subaru Forester

Hard to admit it that the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander we looked that last month really do like Free Willy in a big way but now Subaru pulled out their trump card by regenerating their crossover, the Forester, to a whole new level. Nice new look, looks better than the new Outlander in every tangible way. Also, the new, fourth generation Forester, has something that the new Outlander had; the added grunt.

The new Mitsubishi Outlander has a choice of a 2.0L engine and a 2.4L engine. This new Subaru Forester has two engine types; a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine called the FB20 and the brand new FA20 DIT engine first seen on the facelifted 2013 Legacy...

It's Subaru's first SUV to have EyeSight version 2 safety system that has a feature that automatically brakes in a near-collision situation...

FB20 models come with either a 6-speed MT or improved Lineartronic CVT while FA20 DIT variants known as the 2.0XT come exclusively with a CVT nonsense, just like the Legacy...

And it's served with Symmetrical AWD...

2013 Subaru Forester interior

So, how did Subaru invested just to regenerate the Forester to a totally different crossover that feels a bit civilized? Well, when you think about it, this new Forester doesn't seem to be so half-bad but sadly there's no soul, there's no heart, and it's not that all desperately impractical. Look at the interior for instance, it seems that it's straight from the Impreza, just like the previous model which has the familiar interior. Although I may think that this is is the bulkier brother of the Impreza, the Forester seems to work if you're a soccer mom taking her kids to school, then went out for grocery shopping, and for work, and lots of stuff. However, because this is the new model, I think that Subaru tries to shrug off the soccer mom image but no. It's still a soccer mom car pumped up.

A new Forester with the FB20 engine mated to a 6-speed MT would be fine but it isn't a serious car, it doesn't have much sense to use it on an everyday but for the one with the FB20 mated to a Lineartronic CVT, that's made for everyday use. CVT's are made for better fuel economy and smooth riding but it has the canal boat-like feeling every time when you floor it. If you have the same thought on the 2.0XT model, which the exterior can be differentiated by a shouty front face, I'd guess I'd basically plug my ears with headphones rather than hearing the canal boat sounds of the CVT mode or if I switch the Lineartronic CVT in 6-speed manual mode, it wasn't so bad. It doesn't feel like a Justy of yesteryears and it doesn't always hum to the sound of Chicago's Saturday in the Park.

Here's the thing, if you're careful, the new Forester with the FB20 engine and idling stop combined will get you up to 15.2kmpl of fuel consumption. The fuel consumption of the Forester 2.0XT (the one with the FA20 DIT engine on it) though, will be approximately 13.2kmpl. Hang on a minute, a 15.2kmpl on the new Forester with the FB20 engine and idling stop is about the same as the fuel economy of the new Mitsubishi Outlander's 2.0L engine with AS&G feature.

2013 Subaru Forester

It's still a crossover made for the outdoorsmen. You can drive it offroad and you can make it dirty thanks to its SYMMETRICAL AWD that adorned most Subarus for years but now, there's a new feature which is a first for this new model. It's the X-MODE system and this new feature enhances the stability of the new Forester in tough terrain. Whether if you're on gravel, sand, or snow, the X-MODE lets the engine, transmission, and VDC controlled cooperatively and with the X-MODE's hill descent control, it can maintain the same speed while driving down a steep hill.

Pricing? The new Forester will cost you about 2,089,500 Yen, that's cheaper than the new Outlander and that makes it a great value. Wait, hang on a minute....did I say...that's 337,500 Yen less than the new Outlander? Spoilers! But still, it's not the River Song type of spoilers, this is the bargain of the holiday season. With that affordability, I think this is the best choice for those who can't afford the new Outlander.

Better still, this crossover is all about being a somebody rather than a nobody...

AVAILABLE COLORS: Satin White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Deep Cherry Pearl, Burnish Bronze Metallic, and Deep Sea Blue Pearl

PRICE LIST:

2.0 i 4WD 6-speed MT - 2,089,500 Yen

2.0 i 4WD CVT - 2,089,500 Yen

2.0 i-L 4WD 6-speed MT - 2,404,500 Yen

2.0 i-L 4WD CVT - 2,404,500 Yen

2.0 i-L アイサイト 4WD - 2,509,500 Yen

2.0 i-S アイサイト 4WD - 2,772,000 Yen

2.0 XT 4WD - 2,831,850 Yen

2.0 XT アイサイト 4WD - 2,936,850 Yen

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Forza Horizon: Honoring America's Heroes

Let Battle Commence...

Now I had to admit it that I am very lucky to drive America's most powerful car and oh, sorry, that position used to belong to the Corvette C6 ZR1 because now, the title holder of being America's most powerful car or the most powerful V8 car in the world is now the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Question, why the 2013 Shelby GT500 is now America's most powerful car rather than the ZR1 and the SRT Viper combined. The secret of this sheer success is Ford's brand new 5.8L Trinity V8 engine with added supercharger. This resulted the power output of 662HP and 631 lb.-ft. of torque. These numbers don't lie you know. This is real. It's SAE-certified and it's powerful not just it's rival, the Chevy Camaro ZL1, but also the Corvette ZR1 and the SRT Viper GTS. It's really America's most powerful and you will all bow down to the Blue Oval. Yeah, bow down to the might of the Blue Oval because....well, you get the idea.

Tell you what though, thanks to this 662HP power output to the GT500's 5.8L supercharged V8 engine, this will sure enough to convert Camaro fans to Mustang fans...because thanks to the 2013 Mustang GT500, the theory of "Mustangs are better than Camaros" became fruition...well, almost. Ugh...I know that the 2013 GT500 proves that Mustangs are better than Camaros but why does most Camaros are popular than this? Never mind, but still, I'm more than happy to meet up with America's most powerful car.

To conclude, I have to clips of Horizon-ness starring the 2013 GT500 and the Corvette C6 ZR1. Get ready with your spanners...

Let's Do The News! (November 12, 2012)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

ランボルギーニアヴェンタドールに、ロードスター誕生。

2014 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster

Lamborghini finally unveiled the roadster version of the flagship V12 hypercar, the Aventador LP700-4, and I'm delighted to say, the lunacy's back. You know that this roadster version is a hundred kilograms heavier than the coupe but it doesn't matter. With the roof open, I got a million miles of headroom, 700PS of power and the sound that makes Ami and Mami Futami very angry....Oops...

Info: http://www.lamborghini.com/en/models/aventador/lp-700-4-roadster/overview/

メルセデス·ベンツ SLS AMGに、ブラックシリーズ登場。

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

Just as I thought, it couldn't get even stupider. I think that this is somewhat a softened road-going version of the SLS AMG GT3 racer but with the added power on the old 6.2L V8 engine, the new SLS AMG Black Series is all about yelling in front of other people. This is what happens when a Gullwinged moron took so much performance enhancements or steroids to look like a freak in a freak show...Pity...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-new-black-low-down-on-mercs.html

DODGE TWITTER FAIL

Dodge Twitter FAIL

This is hilarious to see. You think it's a Challenger but oh no, it's a BMW. Sorry. Fail for the official Dodge twitter. LOLZ...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/11/twitter-fail-dodge-thinks-this-bmw-3.html

TG's Jeremy Clarkson lashes out against the official TG twitter during a two-minute silence

"Astonishingly stupid" Jezza said...

The entire Great Britain had a two-minute silence to honor those who died at the war until the official BBC Top Gear twitter unexpectedly twitted the most watched vid on Top Gear last week, regarding the magazine's Pan-American race between the Bentley and a train. Others called it "insensitive" while TG host and my residential moron Jeremy Clarkson called it "absolutely stupid".

Scoop: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-clarkson-hits-out-at-top-1430433

Furthermore, BBC issued an apology:

BBC Worldwide profusely apologises for the automated tweet that coincided with this morning’s two minute silence to honour our Armed Forces. Our social media team will put measures in place to ensure something like this is never repeated.

Scoop: http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2012/11/11/bbc-worldwide-social-media-an-apology/

50 Years of Bond Cars airs on BBC America...later

How's the latest Bond film, Skyfall? You know that this is the best Bond film ever and Daniel Craig's getting more serious and darker than ever. Anyway, if it's Monday in the USA, get ready because it will be the North American premiere of a new Top Gear special hosted by Richard Hammond. It's called 50 Years of Bond Cars and he pays tribute to the Bond cars and he even made a James Bond-style submarine Lotus.

Watch It: Monday, November 12 at 8:30/7:30c (just before a new episode of Richard Hammond's Crash Course) on BBC America.

That sign...

Hello Sweetie

(Source: http://kaosnadi.tumblr.com/post/34176696864/river)

Uh, I just noticed something...Is that my word, used on something that featured some of the desserts of McDonald's such as sundae, cookies, McFlurry, apple pie, and shakes? Did I said that? "Hello Sweetie"? Oh dear...No wonder my words slip out of my tongue....(laughing) Hope you'll find it, Doctor....

Volkswagen Golf VII

Nur wer die Menschen kennt, kann das Auto bauen.

2013 Volkswagen Golf

2013 Volkswagen Golf

For almost four decades and for six generations, the Volkswagen Golf is one of the key vehicles of the Volkswagen lineup and as of 31st July 2012 - exactly 29.13 million units sold since 1974, the Volkswagen Golf, is one of the most successful motorcars in the world. Now though, with its seventh incarnation, a new chapter of the Golf storyline is about to begin, like a new chapter for a big movie.

As I speak, this is the first new model to incorporate Volkswagen Group's new MQB platform, a new generation platform that allows access to new powertrains and technologies, including innovations in the areas of safety and infotainment, which until now were reserved for vehicles in higher segments. This new platform was currently on the latest version of the Audi A3, and the upcoming Seat Leon and hopefully, this new platform will be applied in future models the Volkswagen Group's been diddling about.

As a car made for people by people, the Golf is a well-civilized vehicle that targets any age demographic. It doesn't matter if you're 20's, 30's, middle-aged, senior, or whatever. This is the other people's car since The Beetle and this is not just a car, it's a religion of some sorts and this new model is on the whole new testimony for the next generation of Golf owners.

For this new model, it's now 56mm longer than the previous incarnation. Even the wheelbase is longer, making it possible to accommodate more interior space. The enhanced dimensions of the new Golf courtesy of the MQB platform generates 0.27cD of drag coefficient. About as similar as using a hair blower on your face.

Even though the new chassis is proven a worthy contender, there's one thing I'm not particularly fond of and it was the new Golf's look. Even though this was the improvement of Walter de Silva's VW design DNA, this new look kinda looks like some pensioner who lives in a retirement home in Yorkshire. Yes, it looks like a senior aged retiree who is wearing bicycling outfits and that looks a bit...well, corny. However, when you get inside the interior, this is far more different from conventional VW interiors of other models.

2013 Volkswagen Golf interior

I wouldn't say much about the interior but it seems that not only the new chassis made it lighter, the inside did take some SENSA and a bit of Zumba, therefore most of its components like the dashboard, module, air conditioning, seats, and others also contributed to the almost 40kg of weight loss to the superstructure. That's an amazing achievement here but what about the engine types offered on the new Golf that had been taken too much SENSA and Zumba?

We're expecting a 1.2L TSI, 1.4TSI, 1.6 TDI, and 2.0 TDi engines, each with different characteristics and specs that affects the Golf's behavior. Either way, they can be fitted with either a 5-speed manual, a 6-speed manual, or the DSG Doppelkupplungsgetriebe for quicker shifting than manuals, well this is just only a hunch. Most of the engines come with BlueMotion Technology that promises to be economical and yes, it do come with the feature that shuts the engine off when you stopped at the red light and then start again when you set off. Idling stop for short. That's what I'm saying.

The one with the 1.6 TDi engine is the efficient of the range with 3.8L/100km of fuel economy while the one with the 2.0 TDi engine is the most powerful Golf in the range with top speed of 216kph. It all seems fine but next year, the seventh Golf will be having high performance versions, especially the one that we're not going to mention it because of search engine issues. You get me?

Besides, with Ayala Corporation is now the OFFICIAL distributor of Volkswagen in the Philippines, I really had my fingers crossed that this new seventh-generation Golf will be on their portfolio. This car is on sale in Germany for 16,975 Euros for the entry-level version while next year, it will arrive in other parts of the world such as North America, Middle East, and Asia. Because the fact that China is one of VW's biggest customers, I think that the new Golf VII would get some high stakes here.

Oh and one more thing...they're available in 3-door and 5-door. Thanks...

Photo: Volkswagen AG

Goin Bulilit goes to Malaysia

On the November 11, 2012 episode of Goin Bulilit, the kids are goin' Malaysia. Of course, they're not here for some sightseeing at Petronas Towers, Kidzania, Legoland, or any other famous Malaysian landmarks. They're here to mess it up, Bulilit style! What they did there is simple;

- USE IN THE SENTENCE jokes with everything Malaysian!

- Theme park gags in Berjaya Times Square

- In "That's A Lasa Nonsense", Mutya Orquia tastes the street foods of Jalan Alor.

- Gags in Kidzania

-A visit at Malaysia's Papa John's Pizza...

- The corniest jokes in I'M CORNY!

- The ASK Girls tells us on how to TRAVEL IN FASHION

- Sketch courtesy of Moose Gear

...don't worry. There's still more Malaysia fun with the Goin Bulilit kids next week for Part Two. See you soon!

Forza Horizon: This is the all new BMW M6. Period.

A grand tourer made for the well-sophisticated bachelor

So, here I am, playing a game of Forza Horizon, talking about the all new BMW M6 (F13) that was featured on this game. Yep, this is the first time they've featured this latest M6! No one bravely does. This is the only video game in the world for you to taste the all new BMW M6 F13 Coupe.

Anyway, about the all new BMW M6, this new model is getting a bit more tamed than wild because for starters, the glorious V10 engine was been thrown away and replaced by a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine from the BMW M5 F10. It seems that downsizing is now a trend of today because of strict emission regulations but despite that, all that downsizing leads to bigger power. The old V10 of the M6 E63 has almost 500HP of power, this 4.4L V8 engine with turbos on the new M6 F13 though, has 552HP of power. That's a lot of power and more torques. A lot more torques. And it's quick!

With all that new features, especially the carbon-fiber roof, is the all new BMW M6 compromised some of its thrills in favor of being a well-mannered grand tourer in running shoes? I think it's a big no because even though it's a grand tourer, the new BMW M6 sure knows how to dance. It maybe challenging at first but when you get the hang of it, my oh my, it's a deserving one.

Nice job on that treasure hunt!

I like this one better than the new Bentley Continental GT or the Jaguar XKR-S but I think it's better than almost anyone. It's a soon-to-be-a-classic BMW in the making, turning the heads of almost any driver who sets foot on this one and it's impossible to think what's next to this new model. I've been waited for this moment to come.

Forza Horizon: The New Bentley Continental GT

A spectacular combo between a geyser and a Bentley

This is another one of the cars that are new in the world of Forza and this is rather different than what you've expect to be. What this is is the new Bentley Continental GT, a grand tourer from Crewe, redefined for the next generation.

A grand touring epic masterpiece

Being one of the most advanced grand tourers in the world, the Bentley Continental GT is a bit half-cocked and pretty dry when you take it for a spin. It maybe bulky than other grand tourers in Horizon and maybe a bit overpowered by its 6.0L W12 engine but when you get it right, the new Continental GT sure knows how to make better obligations against your rivals. Also, thanks to its advanced all-wheel-drive systems, ensuring that all the power the 12-cylinder engine generates is utilized, that makes it perfect when you play a game of king or infected. I once tried one and I gotta say that its 4WD layout really knows how to outturn and outrun any kind of A-class car in a playground game of their choosing.

I really like this, even though it looks the same as the old Continental GT from my other game. An epic grand touring masterpiece like this is truly one of the reasons why the new Continental GT loves to do a little soul searching in Colorado but on the downside, it's somewhat not quite as good as the all new BMW M6 F13 that I'm tackling soon. It may have more power but it's heavier. Period.