All new 2014 Silverado teased...

2014 Chevy Silverado teaser

From the beginning of your workday to the end of the day, the Chevy Silverado is one of America's most dependable trucks in America and now a full-model change is in full swing. Chevrolet Trucks teased their next generation Silverado with the topic #RaiseTheBar. It's set for a viral reveal this week (Thursday/Friday to be precise). Stay tuned...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/gm-to-reveal-2014-chevrolet-silverado.html

Nintendo Wii U

With sales of the current Wii have plummeted thanks to the XBOX 360 and the PS3, it seems that Nintendo decided not to give up on their resources regardless of competition and the customer satisfaction. So when Nintendo decided to create a brand new console, it was like, hey! Let's make a totally different console to get ourselves on top! And there's the result of their R&D done...

Nintendo Wii U

Here it is and what Nintendo do is a console that that has a controller that looks like a portable hand-held device but really is a controller for this console. It's kinda dramatic but what Nintendo made is just a side-story to the Wii. Welcome everyone to the brand new Wii U. It maybe just an evolution of the family-favorite Wii but does it have the pros to get Nintendo back on top?

First of all, let's talk about this different kind of controller that Nintendo calls it the GamePad. It may look like a portable hand held gadget but this serves as a second screen on your video game. For example, when you're seeing the actual gameplay on your TV, the GamePad serves some of your gameplay progress. Really? A controller with a screen on it. I'm fine of having consoles with the barriers between me, my game, and my TV but what Nintendo claims that this GamePad feature breaks the mold between you, your games, and the TV. There are many ways to use this GamePad feature such as viewing your gameplay on your TV and the GamePad, holding it vertically, use its touch screen to control gameplay, or you just wanna play the whole game in your gamepad without the TV. That's very clever and that's witchcraft. So, good job then and for a real surprise, it's BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE!

Why? On the Wii U, you can also use the classic Wii controller for added perspective or if you have some of the Wii controllers in your box, you can use them for multiplayer fun.

There are two sizes on the Wii U. The entry level Wii U called the Basic costs 26,250 Yen and it has about 8GB internal flash memory, plus support for external USB hard drives for additional storage. For hardcore players having their cash burning their pockets, there's the flagship Premium Set which is black-colored, costs 31,500 Yen, and 32GB HDD plus a gamepad stand, gamepad cradle, and a console stand to keep it organized. Built in software includes Nintendo TVii, Wii U Chat, Miiverse, Internet Browser, Mii Maker, Nintendo eShop, and Wii Menu.

Selection of games? At its first day, buyers are opted to check out Wii U games for the first day such as New Super Mario Bros. U, FIFA 13, Mass Effect 3 Special Edition, Monster Hunter 3G HD Edition, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Assassin's Creed III, ZombiU, and Batman Arkham City Armored Edition. More games such as Call of Duty Black Ops 2, NBA 2K13, Aliens: Colonial Marines, and more will be added later on.

I almost forgot, if you're into internet videos or streaming or whatever suits your fancy, fear not because apps like YouTube, NicoNico, and Hulu are available in the Wii U's e-shop so if you got one, there's a better time to sit down, grab a popcorn and enjoy the movies! (Thumbs up)

This new game console from Nintendo is a sure fire thing to have an invitation to the elite club of video gaming consoles but uh...no. Sadly because the only thing that were accepted to the elite club were the near-decade aged XBOX 360 and the PS3 because despite their age, they've showed how wild, how cool, and how awesome they're offering. The Wii U though is just a different story. What they've should have done is a console that not only has the capabilities of old-school technology with new-generation fun but also the freedom for the players to control. Beneath every serious game creator lies a ten-year-old kid inside, waiting to spur its creativity to make things right.

...It's kid's stuff. It's obvious...

URL: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wiiu/index.html

Subaru Pleo Plus

新世代トマールエンジン

2013 Subaru Pleo Plus

2013 Subaru Pleo Plus interior

The trend of kei car rebadging is becoming a bit too far here in Japan and the Daihatsu Mira e:S, launched last year, became a subject of rebadging. Sure, Toyota borrowed one for their new Pixis Epoch and now, in a terribly confusing way, Subaru decided to join in the fray by borrowing a Daihatsu Mira e:S and replace it with Subaru badges. What do you get in return? Something called the all new 2013 Subaru Pleo Plus! The most fuel-efficient Subaru offered and the most affordable.

Starting at 795,000 Japanese Yen, the Pleo Plus is equipped with the special KF engine that accumulates 52PS/6800rpm of power output and 60Nm/5200rpm of torque output. It even comes with a CVT for optimized fuel economy and smooth driving. Because it's fuel economy is rated at 30.0km/L in Japan's JC08 Mode scale, it is the most fuel efficient Subaru ever offered for fuel-conscious drivers in Japan. The secret of getting a good fuel economy for this new model is because of its Eco Idle (Idle Stop and Go) system, newly developed i-EGR (ion controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system (that applies the ion current combustion control, in which ions in the combustion chamber are used to identify the state of combustion, to EGR control), lighter bodywork, thermal management, and Eco power generation control (with regenerative braking functions).

I'm afraid I have no words to describe this new Pleo Plus but if you live somewhere where a Subaru dealer is nearby and if you're too lazy to get a new Mira e:S or a Toyota Pixis Epoch, consider this. End of discussion.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Forza Horizon: Oppa Gen Coupe Style

Just K-POP-ing around...

At Forza Horizon, we don't do that latest craze made by someone Korean that is somewhat a two-word craze where the first word starts with G and the second word stats with S. Wanna guess what that is? Spoilers, we don't do that here but with the only Korean that was accepted on the Horizon fest, which is the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, it seems that it tries to show how K-POP worthy of being in the party.

With its 3.8L Lambda V6 GDi engine that produces 350PS of power, that's a lot of power for something Korean but even though it's not as quick as its other rivals, it sure knows how to do the G thing in the corners. A piece of K-POP would be enough for this car though and that would be nice to drive one of these to see if this car's fit enough for the party...

Fancy driving two Nissan Jukes? Get Asphalt 7 HEAT!

Nissan Juke Nismo and Nissan Juke R
on Asphalt 7: HEAT

For its latest update on Gameloft's ASPHALT 7: HEAT (Version 1.0.5) available on iPhone App Store and Android store, this mobile racing game added two kinds of Nissan Jukes to up the ante. The Nissan  Juke Nismo and the Nissan Juke-R are there on this latest updates and if you want them, win them on those special challenges offered.

About the Nissan Juke Nismo, this was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and what this is, is a Nismo-tuned version of the wild-looking Nissan Juke crossover compact. The chassis which has been lowered and stiffened, while the 1.6-liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine has been uprated to deliver more power and performance. As for the Nissan Juke-R though, what happens when you put some of the Nissan R35 GT-R know how in the Juke's body? The result is a monster of a masterpiece.  A Nissan Juke fitted with the GT-R's VR38DETT's engine is not the kind of Juke you would expect on the road and it's made in a very limited production run thanks to customer interests. The first owner of this wild and monstrously wicked Juke-R was in Dubai and that guy must have been lucky to drive one of those...

Anyway, if you have Asphalt 7 and if you haven't updated to Version 1.0.5, do it now. These two Jukes are waiting for you...Don't have A7 HEAT? Buy one at the app store!

It's all thanks to our friends at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and Gameloft!

Scoop: http://www.zercustoms.com/news/Nissan-Juke-R-And-Nismo-In-Asphalt-7-Heat.html

Let's Do The News! (December 9, 2012)

(cheers and applause)

So, the experiment continues on eh?

That's right man. I'm still continuing my science experiment for the upcoming C7 Corvette on GT5 before Chevrolet reveals it all in January.

So in terms of straight-line performance for the upcoming C7 Corvette, are the stats still a SPOILER yet?

That's right! Spoilers!

SPOILERS

(audience laughing)

Anyway, let's do the news!

Right indeed and it seems the fourth installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight occurred and hey! Guess what?

Pacquiao-Marquez 4
(image: Reuters)

Listen old man, we've watched the fight and Pac-man lost. Knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez after six rounds...Honest! I'm not joking! I've witnessed with my own eyes!

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/juan-manuel-marquez-knocks-out-manny-pacquiao

Seriously?

Yeah! Pacquiao lost the fight!

I think it was odd because in the last three fights against Juan Manuel Marquez, it seems that Pacquiao edges out against him but for this fourth fight, everything's changed. Marquez has the advantage and it's absurd.

Do you think 2012 became a bad year for Pacquiao?

Well frankly yes. Manny Pacquiao got beaten twice. It's like the pact of the devil that gets the best of him. Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, they've beaten the once-great Manny Pacquiao and it looks like his performance is slowly degrading. Is Pacman's fame faltering within 2012's double loss in boxing?

Well, I think yes. I'm scared about Pacquiao's fame but still it's not as dirty as the Pacquiao-Bradley fight which sparked criticisms. Do you think this fourth fight between Pacquiao-Marquez fight sparked even more? I mean hey, his loss in this fight is considered a fixed point, right? FIXED POINTS CANNOT BE REWRITTEN.

FIXED POINT? You mean that this year's fights of Manny Pacquiao, the two fights of 2012 that made Pacquiao lost, cannot be rewritten even for the time turner?

(audience laughing)

Correct. You'll never rewrite such a fixed point. That's DA RULES...

Da Rules

(audience laughing)

Anyway, enough of that. There's a saying that goes... ‎"You won't really know what will happen in a boxing ring. Hard work doesn't always pay off. But the ones who succeed are the ones who worked hard!!"

Where was that?

It's from an anime titled Hajime no Ippo, a boxing anime series. Listen, please don't even try to criticize about this fight. They did fair and that's it. They're not cheating. They're doing right things, win or lose.

I think you're right James. To win with pride or lose with dignity, all it comes is from the knowledge of what they do best. Can we just put this sadness behind us? Anyway, moving on because here's the photo that the BBC sent to everyone teasing something Doctor Who-related. Here it is...

???????

What's that all of the circular stuff on this?

SPIROGRAPH?

(audience laughing)

I think it's something a bit spirograph-y about this pic the BBC sent to us...What's this? A chandelier with some Spirograph stuff on it?

(audience laughing)

Uh...may I interrupt with some Spirograph jokes about this but what they said that they're just Gallifreyan writings on it and BBC said that's the teaser for the new interior of the TARDIS.

(huh?)

Wait...new interior of the TARDIS?

Well some say it's a BIG YES because this is a new look for the TARDIS's control room. It will be revealed in this year's Christmas Special which features The Doctor's brand new partner, Clara, played by Jenna Louise Coleman, the souffle girl.

(audience laughing) (awwww)

In fact, I'm still got a funny feeling that I'm feeling blushed every time I said souffle girl.

What is it? You think she's too cute for you?

(awwww)

What are you talking about?!!!

Come on old man, I think you're having a crush on that souffle girl...Souffle girl! Souffle girl! Souffle girl!

(audience chanting: souffle girl)

Hammo! Cut it out! I'm not having such a crush on that souffle girl...

Maybe if its Christmas Eve, you're going to make a souffle and if it's Christmas Day, the day that the Doctor Who Christmas Special comes...

STOP IT!!!! STOP IT!!! Please don't mention anything about souffle girl...

All right...I promise...(giggling)

Anyway, there's been another recall for the all new 2013 Ford Fusion saloon and this time it's for the faulty headlamps.

Huh? Another recall for an all new Ford model? Oh dear...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/another-recall-for-2013-ford-fusion.html

I thought that the 2013 Ford Fusion would be a better substitute for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu but thinks to some issues such as the fire risk of the 1.6L EcoBoost engine that was equipped on the Escape and now the faulty front lamps issue, turns out that this new model is not quite as reliable as the all new Malibu. Speaking of the Malibu, Chevrolet issues an "emergency minor change" for next year.

What? "Emergency minor change?"

Just like the not-for-Japan Civic as seen in the 2012 LA Auto Show, Chevrolet issues an emergency minor change for the current-generation Malibu, which is now a global midsize sedan, due to sluggish sales. Even though it's now a global midsize sedan, it's not enough for that so seems that an emergency refresh sounds fine but that's off the record about that.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/chevrolet-to-rush-in-facelift-for-new.html

Question is...Fusion or Malibu? Which is better?

(audience murmuring)

Hyundai recently revealed their facelifted 2013 Equus/Centennial and look at this...

2013 Hyundai Equus Facelift

So...what to expect on this facelifted Equus this time?

Let's see...um...removal of chrome trim strips on the front and rear bumpers, new set of alloy wheels, new mirrors, new controls for the audio system on the steering wheel, new dashboard, and a BMW-like shift knob that was applied on the K9.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/hyundai-introduces-facelifted-2013.html

Also, aside from the 2013 Equus comes with its cheaper alternative, the Grandeur, now on its 2013 model year...

2013 Hyundai Grandeur

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/updated-2013-hyundai-grandeur-aka-azera.html

Psst...hey buddy. No time to mention what's updated on those Korean-made luxury cars. Those damn smugglers will get them noticed...

(audience laughing)

Anyway, on that bombshell, that's the news!

GT5 C7 Corvette Testing...how fast is this? Spoilers...

Straight-line performance is the next lesson...

Last time, I've downloaded the free C7 Corvette Test Prototype for the Gran Turismo 5 video game on PS3 and I want to conduct series of brainy experiments to see if Chevrolet's trying to reinvent its next generation Corvette until the grand unveiling at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. I've tried beating the time set by The Stig in the Corvette C6 ZR1 from Top Gear and barely nailed it by three attempts. Now, the science lab continues and this time it's the straight line performance...

Most forum-goers often start asking...how fast is the C7 Corvette with the LT1 V8 engine on it? I'm afraid that I'm going to use the good old River Song catchphrase here....SPOILERS I meant to say it...but rumors say that the 0-100kph time for the C7 Corvette with the said engine will do about under four seconds. All the details remain SPOILERS for now but since this is Gran Turismo 5, I decided to use the Speed Test mode to predict its straight line performance according to me...

My predictions for the C7 Corvette's
straight line performance

My prediction was that while some say that the C7 Corvette powered by a 6.2L V8 LT1 engine on the front can do 0-100kph in under four seconds, a possible top speed would be about 318kph or in the eyes of Englishmen would say 198mph. 198mph...hmmm...this predicted top speed could be somewhat on the edge of Ferrari territory perhaps? I think not...or could be because I'm not one of Chevrolet's or from the Corvette camp.

As told, the C7 Corvette's straight-line performance remains CONFIDENTIAL and TOP SECRET for know and the experiment I've conducted on GT5 is just only a prediction of what the C7's straight line performance will be. Besides, I'm still not giving up doing some science lessons on the upcoming C7 Corvette...