GT5 C7 Corvette Testing...at the Nurburgring!

Judgment at the Ring

I know this is scary as it sounds but a couple of weeks ago, back in December 2012, the producers ordered us to take on the New Year's Holiday Challenge. Nothing's special about this but there was a time attack challenge featuring the Corvette C7 Test Prototype at the fearsome Nurburgring Nordschleife. The description says...

"This is an expert-level time trial on the Nurburgring Nordschleife coruse, using the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Test Prototype.

No tuning is allowed, making this a pure test of your skill and skill alone. Test the very limits of the car to mark that super lap!"

...I know that it's a bit harsh but for the sake of Chevrolet science, I'd accepted the challenge to find out how can the next generation Corvette stacks up at the most feared racetrack in the world.

Based on Gran Turismo calculations, it is predicted that the C7 Corvette will reach the Nurburgring in 7:50.000. I know this is a prediction but if that came into reality, where would the C7 Corvette sits? Spoilers...

Because the predicted time of 7:50 is the time to beat, I'm saddling up on the pre-production mule and find out if the next Corvette has the guts to conquer the Nurburgring. The first attempt isn't just practice, it's torture and once you're in here, you'll be easily enslaved by the twists and turns of the Nurburgring while driving a car under development stages. When the session gets longer, the fear gets even more intense and I have less chances to beat the predicted time of 7:50. After one lap, I did it in 7:54.180, which is not bad for someone in a first try. Sadly though, I need to try even harder to prove if the new C7 Corvette is capable of mastering the Ring.

At my second attempt, it begun to make an impression out of my skill and the lap time is 7:53.464. Later on, it's 7:51.208, which means I'm almost there to mark that super lap. While taking a break, I have to take a look at some of the replays I've saved to study what went wrong with my driving skill. Seems that it's the driver, not the car, that makes a big difference and if I was one of the elite few to drive the C7 Corvette mule, I knew that I have processed the major difference between numerous drivers who have taken the big challenge.

And now...IT'S SHOWTIME! I'm trying to correct the past mistakes I have done in previous attempts and  with all that practice paying off, I have successfully beaten the target time and I did it in...7:48.096. I may have beaten the target time but to me it feels like an unofficial record. Maybe only the Corvette experts will tell what will it be when it hits the Nurburgring soon but this is a remarkable achievement for Chevrolet. The next Corvette is surely be a track weapon of its own right and seems that I got myself a well-deserved break. Maybe I shall cook some souffle while waiting for my next mission...

Let's Do The News! (January 6, 2013)

River's Diary

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

Race-spec Atenza warming up at Daytona before ROLEX 24

The new third-generation Mazda Atenza with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY proves to be a worthy adversary for Mazda and it seems that its ready for GRAND-AM racing. When Mazda announced that they'll be making a competitor to the GRAND-AM Road Racing Rolex 24 Hour Endurance, they'll be using the 2013 Mazda Atenza (known globally as the 6) as the basis for this year's endurance race at the Daytona International Speedway - Road Course. The official Mazda USA Facebook page posted photos of a race-spec Atenza preparing for January's Rolex 24 at Daytona.

2013 Mazda Atenza prepares for 2013 Rolex 24

URL: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152393994360363.951754.337363685362&type=1

DMC tunes the Ferrari F12

DMC F12berlinetta Spia

DMC, a German tuner, did a really good job tuning the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 supercar and now it's the turn of its lesser rival who has more power than the flagship V12 Lambo, the Ferrari F12berlinetta. As we all know, the F12berlinetta is Ferrari's flagship V12 grand tourer that some say it has more power than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Yeah, right. Some lucky kid tried one of these and he said it wasn't quite an alternative to the V12 Lambo that he really liked very much. Anyway, the experts at DMC are working on the tuned F12 under the name Spia and it should be ready sometime in April 2013. Aside from the eye-watering body kit, the Spia comes with the performance package that tweaks its V12 engine to  754hp (764PS) and top speed to 350km/h (218mph). A new custom-made titanium exhaust system is included. Is this thorough enough for you?

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2013/01/dmc-runs-performance-and-styling-check.html

2009 Hurst Challenger reviewed at Jay Leno's Garage

Talk show host Jay Leno, who is a car guru and host of Jay Leno's Garage web series, reviews one of the tuned Dodge Challengers and this one is from the now-defunct Hurst Performance Vehicles. Check out this clip...



2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet minorchange

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

The sedan and estate models of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class minor change were revealed and now its the turn of its two-door counterparts. The coupe and the cabriolet versions of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class minor change also ditched the four separate headlamps in favor of one-piece units but unlike the sedan and estate versions, the coupe and cabriolet versions' one-piece headlamps are more sculpted and feature different twin LED graphics, the grille gets a single bar (instead of two) supporting the three-pointed star and the bumper design is more aggressive, with an inverted central air intake and enlarged outer inlets. All of these will be revealed at this year's NAIAS in Detroit.

URL: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2013/01/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-coupe-and.html

Back in the game! Yeah

Yesterday, I finally bought a brand new laptop. It's an HP 2000-2b16NR and it comes with the latest Windows 8 OS. At first, I think this new Windows 8 might be complicating but with such practice, I think I'm starting to adapt to this new OS. This laptop cost us under 300 dollars and because of such cheapness, I got more to buy a 1TB external hard drive perfect for the $99 backup the Geek Squad employee told me. That seems good but on the downside, mama bought me an iPhone 4S with the 16GB on it. Aw geez....A previous model for a cheaper price? Never mind...

Classic Mustangs in Pampanga

There was a shop somewhere in Pampanga where they are specialized in restoring classic Ford Mustangs, especially the first generation Mustang. It's called Classic Speed and it's based in Clark, Pampanga. The December 2012/January 2013 issue of Top Gear Philippines featured this shop in case you never heard of it.

URL: http://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/video-a-shop-that-brings-old-ford-mustangs-back-to-life

Forza Horizon: The Final LFA

The car that we will never replace it in our hearts

The Lexus LFA is one of Toyota's crowning glories because this is the kind of exotic that changed Toyota's luxury marque to the right direction. With its clever V10 engine which is divine and as pristine like an angel descended from the skies, this car is just like Charlotte Church. Voice of an angel, liver of a wino. (laughing) Oh Ms. Tate, your joke sounds better on these times! (laughing) but anyway, there's a sad news...

As we all know, production of the LFA at Toyota's Motomachi plant has ended late last month and the last 500th LFA was dropped off the line and whoever asked for this final LFA should have a word of advice to take care of the last LFA ever built. With the Lexus LFA gone for good, I bet its time to place this car on cryogenics...

Time to put this car into hibernation...

...or is it?!

The LFA Nurburgring Package!

Sure, we might have to say goodbye to the Lexus LFA but Forza Horizon's January Recaro Car Pack ordered me to do the LFA's one last hurrah before hibernation with this hardcore Nurburgring Package! So, what's it all about the LFA Nurburgring Package?!

Just 50 out of the 500 LFA units were equipped with the special Nurburgring Package, a track-oriented road-legal version based on the VLN racing model used in the 24 Hour Nurburgring races. With this package, the power output of the 1LR-GUE engine was boosted by 10HP. It comes with a improved transmission that can shift gears by 0.05 seconds, a front splitter, stiffer and more adjustable suspension, lightweight alloy wheels coated in track rubber, aerodynamic canards at the sides of the front bumper, and a large fixed rear wing.

Four exterior colors are offered from glossy black, matte black, orange, and whitest white. It costs $445,000 and customers are offered to have training sessions at the Nordschleife, accompanied by Nürburgring chief instructors, a one-night stay at the Lindner Congress and Motorsport Hotel Nürburgring, admission to the ring°werk leisure park, a Nürburgring branded jacket, and a one-year pass to the circuit.

It recorded a lap time of 7:14.64 round the fearsome Nordschleife and that's even faster than the recently updated 2013MY (2014MY) Nissan GT-R's 7:18.6 lap time!

On real roads, the LFA Nurburgring is a struggle

Now that may seems to be a track-focused muncher but on Forza Horizon, this is a bewildering part animal behind its pristine yet divine looks. In reality, I was thinking that most cars harnessed at the Nurburgring might have a terrible experience on the road. You know what the Nan joke is right? Voice of an angel, liver of a wino. Good job you, ginger-haired goddess of comedy. (laughing) I mean come on, this really is a rough ride on normal roads. Feels my eyes are getting the sore eyes stuff and it's acting like controllers vibrating when there are moments that make them rumbling. On the open road however...

It is pretty much perfect. This car wants to be serene, graceful, majestic, angelic, and pristine in the corners. Well, because of numerous track-focused upgrades for the LFA Nurburgring Package, it sacrificed the quickness of the normal LFA for better cornering, better traction, and better dynamism that will leave the driver a huge smile on his face. Consider a winning face next time but that would be creepy to show off your winning face. Nah-uh. Rather than feeling like an angel, it's becoming more of a fallen angel! A dark angel! A burst angel! Oh wait, am I saying that much? Sorry about that, anyway, feels like it's knocking on heaven's door and it goes as big time as The Book of Enoch! Sorry about the whole El Shaddai stuff but I was praised by this offering. I want this sensation, I want more of this! Guess this is the type of Toyota Mr. Hiromu Naruse wants to drive is he's with us today. Come on! One last hurrah! One last push! Do it for Motomachi's sake! For the people of Motomachi! Woo hoo!

We had the best of times...

That's it. All over. I am so sorry about this ruckus but the LFA Nurburgring Package showed me the ways. It showed me that even though its gone for good, this pristine angel will always be in our hearts/ It showed me that there is light through the darkness, and I thank this car for it. This car...we had...the best of times. Now if I only have the amnesia pill in my pocket, I would forget about the Lexus LFA in my mind but that would be silly. Sadly though, it's too much and all that memories between me and the LFA is burning in my mind and pretty soon, the knowledge will kill me. Perhaps, it's the time now. Guess I should take my amnesia pill in my pocket and all of my memories between me and the LFA will be gone...forever...

GOODBYE, LEXUS LFA. I'LL MISS YOU....

"Isang Tastymonial mula sa Tita"

On the January 4, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Balikbayan gags for a surprise at home!

- You're hired and then you're hired. Get it? You're hired-fired! Wait a minute...

- Signing up for the insurance's memorial plan's getting a bit complicating...

- Whenever he gives something to the beggar, he thinks that this beggar's up to when he gives one...

- Isang Tastymonial mula sa Tita. Bubble Gang does Fita Crackers by spoofing it as TITA CRACKERS. THE TASTY CRACKER.

Bubble Gang does Fita

- Rival vampires are settling their differences in a talk show

- A radio show host is robbing a bank for some reasons...but his victims are asking for some advice...

- Guess who? It's Tita Herminigilda! She's back! And she's going to read a letter that can be translated into actions!

- IyoTube in Home

What's on our Car Town garage today? (January 5, 2013)

What's on our Car Town garage today?

1963 Volvo P1800 S Coupe

Does anyone remember a detective show titled The Saint, where Bond actor Roger Moore played as Simon Templar, the titular character of the show? If anyone remembered it, this is the car that Simon Templar drove in the series. Anyway, the P1800 is one of the classic Volvos ever made and this is the car Volvo went to the sports car market. There has been a trial and error process when the project began in the the late 1950's and despite much trouble faced, the P1800 debuted at the 1960 Brussels Motor Show and collaborate with legendary British sports car maker, Jensen, to build it up. However, when Jensesn faced quality problems, production had shifted to Sweden and then the P1800 is now labeled as P1800 S because the S do really means it was made in Sweden.

1963 Volvo P1800 S Coupe

2011 Ford Shelby GT500

When Ford facelifted the Mustang in 2009, they made a rework in the Shelby GT500 model, which served as the pinnacle of the Mustang history. For the 2011 update, they even made it better with Ford's brand new 5.4L aluminum V8 engine which is more lighter than the cast-iron engine from the previous model and it provides a power bump to 550HP of power and up to 23MPG highway. It was sure enough not just to outrun its foes but also the US Gas Guzzler Tax.

2011 Ford Shelby GT500

1998 Shelby Series 1

You might imagine that the Shelby Series 1 is more of a modern take of the legendary Cobra because it was designed by the late Carroll Shelby and produced by Shelby American but this is much more than that. Underneath its slithering biceps of the Series 1 is a V8 engine that once powers the....and we're not joking here...an Oldsmobile Aurora saloon! When production ended in the mid-2000's, a total of 249 units were produced, making it one of the rarest machines you can find elsewhere.

1998 Shelby Series 1

The All-New Range Rover (L405)

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

At long last, after a decade of having the previous incarnation been with us for too long, a full-model change occurred in one of Britain's legendary luxury sport utility vehicle that combines the ruggedness of an offroader while offering preimum luxury of a premium sedan. That ladies and gents, say hello to the All-New Range Rover.Yes, really, this is the all new model. Not the same old model ten years ago.

So, what to expect on the All-New Range Rover? Well, you can expect a host of different engine types available on this new model such as the supercharged 5.0L V8 that you'll find it on the Jaguar XKR, 4.4 SDV8 diesel, and the 3.0L TDV6 diesel engine, all mated to an 8-speed gearbox, which sounds too much for a transmission made by the Germans. 8 gears is like, overdoing the whole litro of your favorite softdrink or overstuffing your clothes in one Space Bag, waiting to be vacuumed. I know it's a bit too much for that kind of gizmo but something's good about this new model...

2013 Land Rover Range Rover interior

While the exterior is no different from the previous model, the interior is a bit more like its little brother, the Evoque, but with some added posh-ness. Imagine if Lord Alan Sugar wants to ride one of those...

Anyway, this new model sure comes in handy for those who are ruling a nation with an iron fist and if I mean iron fist, it's someone who wears a gauntlet. Heh, iron fist....gauntlet....sounds synonymous to me. The thing about this all new Range Rover though is the way it feels because in the past, the Range Rover is made to be somewhat as chunkier as a can of Chunkee Corned Beef. When a corned beef's getting chunkier, it gets even meatier than a normal corned beef and with some added minced potatoes, it looks even more scrumptious. For this new Range Rover though, no corned beef, no crispy pata, no tocino, no ham, no meaty-related nonsense here because what they did there is a bit of liposuction. Nope, not the fat-sucking procedure that most ladies want, it's the use of an all-aluminium monocoque structure that blessed it a reduction of 420 kg (925.9 lb) compared to the outgoing model. So, where does weight goes into?

Well, with a massive weight loss, this feels like a teenage girl went on a binge spree. And with all that binge leads to something...they made it quicker, more agile, and by a chance, more economical. It's no longer a gas-guzzling monster that needs to be put with some Apollo 11-esque experiment on the exhaust that makes zero emissions. Well, that would be timey-wimey but the figures suggest that with the supercharged V8 model, this will lead to 60mph in about 5.1 seconds while the one with the 3.0 TDV6 promises a combined fuel consumption of 37.7MPG. Whoa, turns out that the one with the 3.0L TDV6 engine is proven to be much more economical and its recommended for those who can't afford petrol due to the ongoing crisis.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Because Range Rovers are on an active duty when they're offroad, they have a majestic presence, something that its rivals can't do but for an all new Range Rover, it has various gizmos that can adjust the height, change driving response on certain road conditions, and so much more. It even has a new version of Terrain Response system so mastering the most unforgiving roads would be a breeze. Imagine if a Jaguar XJ is toughened up the Mad Max way so it can get through the most punishing desert roads no one can ever survive.

I mean hey, this all new Range Rover is like a Jaguar XJ with some added toughness. Imagine if this is the British Prime Minister's new ride, I'm sure this guy sure knows how to rule Britannia with an iron fist. RULE BRITANNIA! Whoa, sorry about that. This is just whimsical idiot stuff for me. Anyway, as for the pricing, you'll be in a lot of trouble because with prices start at £71,295 to £98,395 and with loads of options and accessories at your command, it's going to be near-Rolls Royce money for that matter but in the name of Solihull, the Range Rover is the last word for ruggedness meets luxuriousness. Only the rich and powerful are welcomed to be indulged with it. Rich and powerful...

You got to love this all new Range Rover. Thanks to its massive weight loss, powerful engines, powerful design, powerful interior, and everything that puts the power in you, you are worthy of dominating every road that steps in your way.

Available Colors: Fuji White, Siberian Silver, Indus Silver, Luxor, Orkney Grey, Nara Bronze, Causeway Grey, Firenze Red, Aintree Green, Baltic Blue, Santorini Black, Mariana Black, Barossa, Havana. and Barolo Black.

Additional Colors coming in Summer 2013: Valloire White Pearl, Borealis Black, Ligurian Black, Piemonte Black, Bardolino Red, Roma Red, Bering Grey, Paris Blue, Balmoral Blue, Antilles Blue, Verbier Silver, British Racing Green, Stanhope Grey, London Gold, Calama Copper, Madagascar Orange, Spectral Red, Spectral Blue, Spectral Green, Spectral Amver, Spectral Light Blue, Spectral Lime.

Photo: Jaguar Land Rover

Let's Do The News! (January 3, 2013)

River's Diary

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

Top Gear returns on BBC TWO this January 27

Great news! Top Gear is back! That;s right. Your favorite motoring variety show starring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are back for the 19th and most explosive season yet. Some say, this season will be five episodes long, some say, it will be airing on BBC Two in January 27. Some say, we don't know what cars they'll be featuring but some say, there will be an LFA, SRT Viper, and the new Vanquish tested from Las Vegas to Mexico.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/top-gear-back-on-air-january-27/

Cameraman killed while taking a photo of Bieber's 458

Being a paparazzi can be a tough job because you are trying to enrich other people's lives with a photo of Will Young buying a coffee or Girl Aloud feeding the meter. Sometimes, it can turned out deadly, like this paparazzi who was reported dead while trying to follow Justin Bieber's  white Ferrari 458 Italia somewhere in Sepulvelda Blvd near the Getty Center, Los Angeles. Turns out that Bieber doesn't like paparazzis so much...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2013/01/paparazzi-killed-in-la-while-trying-to.html

Bentley Continental GTC Speed revealed

2014 Bentley Continental GTC Speed

For the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit, Bentley will unveil the Continental GTC Speed, a convertible version of the Continental GT Speed. It may have the same improved W12 engine from the hardtop model but thanks to being a convertible, it's a bit heavier due to some stiffening to the bodywork. Therefore it will go to 100kph in 4.4 seconds and flatout in 202mph. Despite being 0.1 slower than the hardtop model, it still worth it being the fastest open top model from Bentley.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2013/01/bentley-unveils-202mph-continental-gtc.html

My laptop's OS' been corrupted

My HP laptop....been here around since I bought it in either 3rd or 4th quarter 2008 as a replacement to the old Compaq laptop, has been gotten through numerous problems. First there was the hanging, the BSoD (Blue Screen of Death), and now....it didn't run at all. The startup's taking too long. I took it to the Geek Squad section of Best Buy, where we bought it for about five hundred dollars, and as it turned out the HARD DISK DRIVE's been safe but the operating system's been corrupted. The technician said that if they were going to reinstall it, all the files will be gone forever, and I don't want that to happen. He said that for an alternative, I think I should by an EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE and then I'll pay 99 dollars to back up all the files. Sure, I'll consider that but what should I do? Reinstall my laptop's OS or consider buying a brand new one. My HP G60 235DX laptop's been here for about four years now...perhaps its shelf life's pretty much crossed the line or overused. Is it time for be to buy a new one? The one with Windows 8 on it? Spoilers....

Top Selling Cosplay outfits of 2012

Cospa, a retail store for anime cosplay stuff are announcing the best selling cosplay outfits of 2012. Here's the list...


1. Vocaloid Hatsune Miku
Costume Set

2. Steins;Gate
Kurisu Makise's Jacket

3. Hyouka
Kamiyama High School Girls' Uniform

4. Rurouni Kenshin
Kenshin Himura Costume Set

5. Yuruyuri
Nanamori Middle School Uniform (Summer)

6. K-ON!
Sakuragaoka Girls' High School Uniform

7. Dragon Ball Z
Freeza Costume Set

8. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Tokyo-3 1st Municipal Middle School Girls' Uniform

9. D.C.III ~Da Capo III~
Royal London Academy of Magic School Girls' Uniform

10. Toaru Majutsu no Index
Tokiwadai Middle School Girls' Uniform

It seems that the Hatsune Miku outfit is the best selling cosplay outfit for 2012, even outfits based on classic animes make it on the list such as Kenshin Himura's outfit, Freeza outfit and the Tokyo-3 1st Municipal Middle School Girls' Uniform from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Hopefully, your childhood memories served it correctly to remember those. Anyway, seems that Kurisu Makise's Jacket from Steins;Gate (there's an upcoming movie coming Spring 2013) sold well because of the fans...Who else liked Kurisu Makise so much eh? He he he he.....

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-01-02/cospa-stores-top-selling-cosplay-outfits/2012