Japan's 3.11 tragedy and two years later...

Tohoku region

On March 11, 2011, the Tohoku region from Japan has been heavily battered by the most powerful earthquake recorded in Japan and tsunami following a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant that caused much radiation and misery to many. There are compelling accounts of life before and after the 3.11 tragedy and some honest descriptions of their recovery, full of drama and incident.

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of this tragic event happened at the Tohoku region. About 20.851 people died or remain missing as of now while 315,000 people were still living in temporary shelters.

Story: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20130311_02.html

When that disaster happened, it seems that Japan has just went to their knees, considering the parts shortage, contamination concerns, power shortages, and most of the bad things happened in Japan. Moments later, it stood up again thanks to the generous support from all over the world.

For those from the Northeastern Japan, we are thinking about you and we wish you all the very best you can. That is my message to them and with one year passed, it seems that the Tohoku region still hasn't get away from their nightmares of last year's but I'm sure they'll find a way.

As a fan of all things Japanese, I surely wish for them to stood up again. The sun is rising for them.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (March 11, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2000 BMW Z8

So what's it all about this BMW Z8? Well, because BMW makes the best driving machines for decades, the Z8 has the most wonderful design for a roadster like this because it was heavily inspired by the BMW 507, it comes with the same 4.9L V8 engine from the BMW M5, and in the Bond movie The World Is Not Enough, they even got James Bond to drive it. Sadly though, this is just more of a marketing ploy and worse of all, the Z8 turned out to be awful and in the hands of an owner, they never know what comes next. Good thing, this car was discontinued in 2003.

2000 BMW Z8

2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 GT

The number 722 on it was a tribute to the 300 SLR racer that Sir Stirling Moss used at the 1955 Mille Migla where, as of now, holds an unbeatable record. For this race-spec version of the McLaren-Mercedes SLR, it still comes with the same 5.4L Supercharged V8 engine, the same 5-speed auto, and the same carbon fiber bodywork but the 722 GT deducted over four hundred kilograms of weight by stripping out its interior and replace it with race-focused peripherals. Also, the carbon brakes had been replaced by steel discs for enhanced braking and the suspension's all firmed up to eat the racetrack. At the price of half a million quid, customers are entitled for a one-make race series where professional racers and wealthy owners gathered for a race and the package also provides the hospitality unit, the pit crew, your own racing suit and a helmet. All they had to do is land their helicopter, get out, get in, and do motor racing... (with thanks to Jeremy Clarkson)

2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 GT

2012 Vorsteiner GTRS 3

The GTRS 3 is Vorsteiner's tuning program which uses the BMW M3 E92 as its foundation for Vorsteiner to tune this German V8 sportscar. As a motorsport-derived tuner car, the Vorsteiner GTRS 3 comes with a complete replacement carbon fiber front bumper, extended front fenders, extended side skirts, rear quarter panel fender arch extensions, and a wide-stance rear bumper with integrated carbon diffuser that brings this tuner car a powerful stance that stands out the crowd.

2012 Vorsteiner GTRS 3

That concludes Series 19 of Top Gear...for real!

Top Gear Africa Special ending

That's it for real! That really concludes the 19th season of BBC Top Gear! Hard to say that James "Captain Slow" may marked himself in history as the discoverer of the true source of the Nile (and two other blokes who were Clarkson and Hammond)

To put it this way, the conclusion of the Africa Special pits the three morons to a race to the true source of the Nile River. Despite the results, it seems that the theorem of Dr. Burkhart Waldecker and Joanna Lumley about the true source of the Nile was false and Top Gear's discovery were proven right.

Okay, okay, so this is just more of a cocking about for this show but I had to say that the search of the true source of the Nile brings to an end of BBC Top Gear Series 19.

I know that you guys disappointed about this but Jeremy Clarkson, via his Twitter account, announced...

Thanks for watching. We'll be back in the Summer.

That's right! They'll be back in the Summer. See you soon...I hope...

Six Nations 2013: In cased you missed this week...

Scotland vs. Wales

In cased you missed the semi-finals of the RBS Six Nations 2013 rugby match, here's a few reminders about this round...

a) England Rugby defeated F.I.R. at the score of 18 to 11.

Details: http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/22605.php

b) For the first time, there's a tie in a battle between France and Ireland at the score of 13 all.

Details: http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/22592.php

c) Wales defeated Scotland at the score of 18 to 28. That's 18 pts for Scotland and 28 points for Wales, our hero team thanks to the adverts played at BBC Cymru Wales.

Details: http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/22585.php

At the end of the semis, England's still in the lead by 8 points while Wales is 2nd place at 6 points and Scotland's 3rd place at 4 points. Next week sees the finale of the RBS Six Nations 2013.

Wales, if you're listening, the end is near for this year's Six Nations Rugby. You're facing against England on the finale.

For those who are supporting for the Welsh at the Six Nations; wave your flag, make sure you have enough curry for halftime, wear your red socks, pull yourself around, stand up beyond somewhere wherever you are, and scream your heads off because...WE CAN DO THIS!

On Saturday, March 16, it's Italy vs. Ireland at Stadio Olimpico on 14:30 GMT. Then, it's  Wales vs. England at Wales Millennium Stadium on 17:00 GMT. And then, it's Scotland vs. France at Stade de France on 20:00 GMT.

ARE YOU READY?

Forza Motorsport 4: 1997 Mitsubishi GTO

There was a time Mitsubishi made a sportscar
cooler than the LanEvo!

The Mitsubishi GTO was sold in the US as the 3000GT and also on that country, with partnership of Chrysler, a version of the Mitsubishi GTO called the Dodge Stealth was offered with a different body style but retains the same mechanical components as the GTO.

The GTO uses the same platform derived from the Diamante sedan while it was powered by a 3.0L V6 engine, in natural aspiration or twin-turbo options. The turbocharged V6 produces 276HP of power and 307.3ft-lb of torque.

The GTO also comes with numerous automotive technologies such as all-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, electronically-controlled suspension, and anti-lock brakes. It even comes with an active aerodynamic system that adjusts the front and rear spoilers based on the car's speed, along with the active exhaust system that modifies the exhaust note.

For 1993, the retractable headlights were replaced by fixed headlights and the turbo variant is mated with a Getrag 6-speed manual transmission.

Production of the GTO ended in 2001.

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 48

Well, well, well, what do we have here? It appears someone tries to attack my blog, eh? Let's see what's the trace of this attack coming to my blog...


chevrolet trax commercial song
chevy trax commercial song
chevrolete trax cimmercial song

He he he....I don't know what is this chevrolet trax commercial song. We don't even know what's the title of the song heard in this Chevrolet Trax PLAY THE CITY commercial...

Nice for me to put a massive sinkhole in my blog eh? He he he....

Also, I got an email from a stranger who wants to know...(clears throat)

Hi.I was searching for a certain commercial song in the net and I came across your blog, and more certain - the post "Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 44". You see, you're my age (maybe we're close as a taste in music), and, as I suppose, you know more commercial songs than me. Well, if it's not a problem for you, I'll be grateful if you just send me a list of names and tracks - I'll search for them myself, just want to have an example of quality music :)Thank you in advance, and sorry if I annoyed you in any way.Waiting for your answer

Well Ms. Spasova, since the damage is done, time for me to showcase you another set of five Driving Musics because my so-called pain inhibitor's already off...

5) Glad You Came by The Wanted - from the 2012 Toyota Camry Extremo Thai TV Ad

4) The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel - from the Renault ZOE commercial

3) My Friends by Frenetic Sound - from the Chevrolet Traverse "Imaginary Friends" commercial

2) Play It by Victory - from the Cadillac XTS "Night Out" commercial

1) SING YOUR SONG by THE BAWDIES - from the 2013 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Clean Diesel commercial

There you go, folks. Another set of five Driving Musics (Car Commercial Songs) that hopefully might like....

Let's Do The News! (March 9, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

2014 Porsche Cayman

RH: Look buddy, I know I love this car because it's a Porsche.

JC: Yeah, I know you like Porsches because you are a sort of idiot who wants to go for an eye-checkup at EO...

(audience laughing)

RH: Ahem, that's a different Porsche. It's not the 911 you often mocked about 911 drivers often going to EO for some regular eye-checkups. What do you think about the Cayman?

JC: Well, although it's a baby Porsche, I'm still not sold to Porsches...

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh, come on...

JC: Anyway, let's do the news!

JM: Yes, indeed, and in addition to the upcoming Nendoroid Houki Shinonono, Good Smile Company announced another Infinite Stratos character to get the Nendoroid treatment. Here it is...

Nendoroid Cecilia Alcott

JC: Oh wait, it's the turn of the British! I know her!

RH: Yeah right, Cecilia Alcott, the British representative of the IS Academy! Guess we got ourselves a Brit!

(audience laughing)

JM: Yes, really, I know Cecilia's British but this upcoming Nendo would be a fit to my collection...

JC: Collection of what? British anime characters that were quintessentially British except they're speaking in Japanese language?

(audience laughing)

JC: By the way, aside from Cecilia, do you know any anime characters that turned out to be Brits?

RH: Uh, let's see, uh...There was Index from the To Aru franchise.

JC: Wait, Index's British?

RH: Yeah, say so in one scene in the anime where she had a British passport and predictably Index Librorum Prohibitorium was undeniably British...

JC: Oh...

(audience laughing)

JC: Who else is British?

RH: Evangeline A.K. McDowell, that vampire from Negima. Ana Coppola from Strawberry Marshmallow...

JC: Then there was Yomiko Readman from ROD. Everyone back in their highschool days should really remember this girl....

RH: Exactly, and then there's Saber from the Fate series who was inspired from the legendary knight from the legend of Camelot.

(ooohhh)

JC: Interesting, perhaps no wonder Bradley James and Colin Morgan got interested over the classic tale of Camelot when they did Merlin back then...

(audience laughing)

JC: Something puzzled me...Could Saber was heavily inspired from King Arthur, which was helped by a wizard named Merlin? Could Colin Morgan favorted Saber because she's more of King Arthur?

(audience laughing)

RH: Who knows, Jezza. Fandoms crossed over... He he he...

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh. Okay, I got some info more about the upcoming DLC for Metal Gear Rising Revengeance, a PS3 exclusive title. The first DLC arrives at the PlaystationStore in April 2 for 300 yen and for that DLC comes with additional VR Missions, which features some Dwarf Gekko missions, more Raiden-centered missions, and more that leads up to additional 30 VR missions. Also on the DLC, there's a special weapon called the Hebidamashii...

RH: Hebida...what now?

(audience laughing)

JC: It's a HEBIDAMASHII and it's some kind of special sword that when you equip this DLC weapon...

RH: When you equip it, what happen?

JC: You will hear Snake's voice when you equipped the Hebidamashii.

(audience laughing)

JC: No. I'm not joking. This DLC weapon means it. If you equipped it, you will hear Snake's voice and when you're using this weapon, you'll often hear some Snake dialogues...

RH: Oh...

JC: Sounds convincing but you have to wait until April 2 for this DLC but as a bonus, the first DLC will be offered free of charge from March 14 to April 1st. Again, not joking, Konami mean it because this is a special campaign for Rising players.



(cheers and applause)

JC: Special promotion. As Konami told you, the first DLC is available in April 2 for 300 Japanese Yen but from March 14 to April 1st, it's free of charge so don't miss out this special opportunity!

RH: Yeah! Don't miss out!

JC: So, can we move on?

RH: Yes, really...

JC: Anyway, a brand new Hayate no Gotoku TV anime series is coming next month and as I heard, this rebooted Hayate anime series, which comes with the same staff involved in 2011's Heaven is a Place on Earth movie and 2012's Can't Take my Eyes Off You anime, has a theme song that changes main lead and ending song in each episode.

(huh?)

JM: Interesting. A theme song where in every episode changes the main lead. What's it about?

JC: Well, the theme song of the rebooted series is titled "Cuties," and every episode will follow different characters and a different "route":

Episode 1: Hayate Ayasaki
Episode 2: Nagi Sanzenin
Episode 3: Atene Tennōsu
Episode 4: Isumi Saginomiya & Sakuya Aizawa
Episode 5: Hinagiku Katsura
Episode 6: Izumi Segawa & another character
Episode 7: Ruka Suirenji
Episode 8: Ayumu Nishizawa
Episode 9: Chiharu Harukaze & Kayura Tsurugino
Episode 10: Maria

RH: Oh...Sounds interesting...

JC: I know but it's kinda rubbish to have an anime where an opening song changes vocals every episode...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, let's talk about the UN sanctions against North Korea since last month's nuclear test. I mean, what would a rogue state like North Korea do because the UN approved the new sanctions that target against "the evil Korea"?

(audience laughing)

JM: Well, in my opinion, I was thinking that because of the new UN sanctions, I bet that North Korea is getting more and more unruly until it wants to unleash...um...well, I don't know but I guess we have to prepare for the worst...

JC: Yeah and those unruly North Koreans really getting ahead to kill us all until this country becomes the only one left...

JM: Uh-huh...but I have a sneaking suspicion to asked that the current leader, Kim Jong-Un...

RH: I know. He was been with Dennis Rodman back then when these two are watching a basketball match and I think these two are getting to know each other...Later on, they were getting to become BFFs....

(audience laughing)

JC: Best friends?

RH: That's just a speculation but what Dennis Rodman said to Kim Jong-Un, he needs to open up his heart. I mean come on out here...Sometimes even the most unruly of dictators need to show the good man inside but sadly though, this is a bit complicating...

JC: Yeah, too complicating... Anyway, big news. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez...died. Natural causes but I think his poor health caused his death. Just wanna say, Rest In Peace, El Presidente...

(cheers and applause)

JC: Anyway, while on the talk about this year's Geneva Motor Show...the cars that grabbed our attention were the LaFerrari, the Lamborghini Veneno, and the McLaren P1. While we're not putting the Veneno on the subject because all three had been sold out let's talk about how does the LaFerrari and the P1 differ because both of these are hybrid engine-wielding supercars.

2014 McLaren P1

2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

JM: Yeah, I know those two were hybrid-engine-wielding supercars that produces combined power output of over 900HP of power but tell you what though, while both of these supercars excel in technology, I have to say that the McLaren P1 is better when it comes to emissions and pricing while the LaFerrari trounced the P1 because of its styling, power, and the Ferrari heritage.

JC: Thing is though, if I have a choice between these two, I'd pic the La Ferrari...

(audience laughing)

RH: What?

JC: La Ferrari! It translates to "The Ferrari" because it IS the Ferrari that ends all Ferraris, especially the Enzo it replaces and its current V12 grand tourer, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. And on that bombshell, that's the news....

Porsche Cayman (Typ 981c)

When you think about the Porsche Cayman, the first thought of you that this is just a ragtag hardtop version of the Porsche Cayman with the design that is not quite exciting to look at. Although, the design is rather bland, this is rather known to be one of the best handling cars in the history because like the Boxster cousin, the Cayman is the more agile car that gets you away from anyone before they discovered you're not. For this new version, the Cayman tries to become more tail-happy and more athletic than the previous model it replaces.

2014 Porsche Cayman

There's more to like about the new Porsche Cayman (Typ 981c) rather than noticing it has the same design as the latest Porsche Boxster 981 because being one of the most athletic and the most agile cars ever made for the market, the new Cayman really tries to open up some curves and grooves you like some New York jazz music with a hint of engine revving, a taste of Georges St. Pierre's flying punch on your face, and a bullet to the head that really ends all boring conversations you are facing with.

On the manifesto, the Cayman starts at 51,385 Euros and that pricing sure knows that it's cheaper than the latest Porsche 911 Carrera (Typ 991), that makes it good value for the Porsche fans around here. What you get on this standard model is a 2.7-litre engine mounted in the middle which produces 275PS of power and 290Nm of torque. Also, this is the first time this Porsche broke the magic 100 hp per litre displacement barrier for sports car engines because its specific power is 101.6 hp/litre. Sounds tempting to us but for those who want more power, the Cayman S model is offered with the improved 3.4L boxer-6 engine which comes with added 5HP more to the previous power output, therefore it's 325PS of power and 370Nm of torque.

In the S model, 0-100kph takes about five seconds and top speed of 283 km/h. in a 6-speed manual configuration. Sounds quick and if you're opting for the optional 7-speed double clutch transmission, the 0-100kph time is improved but the top speed with suffer. Still, who would want the double clutch as an alternative to the manual transmission because the digest shows that double-clutches shift faster than manual tranny? Neither do care about this mumbo-jumbo. He he he...

2014 Porsche Cayman interior

On the track, the new Cayman loves to eat corners more than Pac-Man munching a million dots. Every time when the new Cayman is ready on the track, it always goes "Eat em up! Yum yum!" every time when its overall enthusiasm is all fired up but what about on a normal day-to-day basis? Well don't get all "OVERALL ENTHUSIASM, OVERALL ENTHUSIASM, OVERALL ENTHUSIASM, YEE-HAW" on us because as a driver's car, the Cayman's not that desperately impractical because it has a boot on the front which is big enough to fit yourself of telling your friends that you've got a picture of yourself being bitten by Pac-Man.

Sadly though, like any other Porsches, the dashboard of the new Cayman is extremely confusing and it takes a man with an IT Qualification to operate the Cayman's features such as the ignition, the traction control, the parking brake, the optional Sport Chrono, or any other stuff you can find on the dashboard. This is a bit more complicating that operating a DSLR camera on the first try or a challenge from a Minute to Win It game.

Although despite a couple of drawbacks, the new Cayman is a reasonable machine that sure knows that OVERALL ENTHUSIASM really flows through your veins when its ready and thanks to some numerous track-munching enhancements and the comfort for day-to-day driving, the new Cayman sure knows how to balance it out. It's all work, all play, for this baby Porsche and I have to say, this car is more than welcome to become every man's dream car if they can't afford on the 911.

Photo: Porsche

"Tikman ang intense Korean anghang"

On the March 8, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Election poster gags for the EPALs...

- Mr. Assimo is on an emergency...

- The family revealed their shocking revelations...

- How's it feel for the Pinoy Macho Kings to win?

- Tikman ang intense Korean anghang. Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme Jjamppong by spoofing this commercial as LUCKY VI SUPREME JJAMPPONG!

Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme Jjampong

- Brod Pete and the gang are here again to answer life's complicating questions in Ang Bagong Dating Doon.

a) Carla Abellana asked "May nasusulat po ba tungkol sa lavandera ni Chris Tiu?"

Lets read from Rain or Shine 96...

"Ako'y isang sirena, kahit anong gawin nila bandera ko'y di tutumba. Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid. Naglalakihan mga braso sa akin dumidikdik. Sa patagalan ng paghibga, sa akin ay bibilib."

b) Mikael asked "may nasusulat po ba tungkol sa mabait na hayop?"

Ang Dating Doon reads... "banal na aso, santong kabayo, natatawa ako he he he he..."

c) A PM from someone asked "ano po ang tawag sa inaalagaan ng caregiver?"

The answer is CARETAKER because Give and Take...

d) "Sino po ba si Frankenstein?" Frankenstein was a doctor who made a monster named SHOWMAN...

e) Wrong Terms Brod Pete know? Let's see...

1) Students find a bit complicating on terms like Kindergarten, Preparatory, Elementary, High School, and College...

2) English lecture can be somewhat too complicating with terms like Apostrophe and Abbreviation. Can those terms need to be shorten?

3) What about the word Congratulations? If you get rid of an S on that word, that doesn't make any taste at all. Even a shortened term doesn't help that either if you get rid of an S on it...

- Beware, if this foreigner gets drunk, he's fluent in Bisaya...

- Quotes to live by from Tata Lino...

a) Huwag mong itulad sa schedule ng basura ang iyong pagsisipilyo. Naswerteng makakolekta dalawang beses sa isang linggo.

b) Ang barya, di nilalagay sa wallet pero itabi mo lang, malay mo magamit...

c) Huwag ka nang magpanggap na gustong maging masinop manas. Nakakatipid ka pa sa feminine wash...

d) Kahit gaanong karaming Sebo de Macho ang iyong gamitin, yung peklat lang sa balat ang kayang gamutin pero ang pilat sa iyong puso, malamang andun pa din.

- Acting Workshop for the actors who want to reshape their image...almost...

Forza Horizon: Cavallino Rampante

Dangerous Curves

Once started in life as a unicorn car in Forza Motorsport 4 but now it's a yours-to-keep car courtesy of Horizon's March Meguiar's Car Pack. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, which in a terribly confusing way, the road version of the racing version of a road car.

Of course the Ferrari 360 is one of the all time greats but for this Challenge Stradale, think of it as a 360 GTi. A sportier car with a more direct connection to the track made in honor of Ferrari's F1 World Champion title four years in a row from 1999 to 2002.

The Challenge Stradale weighs less than the standard model because it has carbon fiber door panels, removed carpets, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium wheel bolts, dual rear floor with F1-inspired flows, slightly longer nose, slightly modified sills, slightly necked boot and the rear is higher than the front.

Lighter, more aerodynamic, and faster than the normal 360 but is the Challenge Stradale better? Well, let your judgment be known...

Another Surprise Bwi-set

On the March 7, 2013's Banana Nite, here's one of the top stories from KANDILA;

"Sabah pinag-aagawan, isang tensyon ang namamagitan sa Pilipinas at ng Malaysia"

If by Sabah, no. Not the island where the menace occured. It's a kind of banana called SABAH...

"Isang Koreanobg Senior Citizen, kinidnap at hinostage"

A clip shows that kidnappers discarded the kidnapped Korean because he's a senior citizen...


Meanwhile, Ryan Bang's making a SURPRISE BWI-SET behind the set of an ABS-CBN sitcom called TODA MAX.

Hyundai Maxcruz

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz

Yes, most of you know that the third row seats of the current Santa Fe DM didn't quite fit but still most of you often want to have one of these. If the third-row seats on the Santa Fe DM were quite an issue, why not interest in this? Better known as the replacement to the Veracruz, which was discontinued last year, the brand new Hyundai Maxcruz is known to be the long wheelbase variant of the Santa Fe DM.

Yes really, it maybe the replacement of the Veracruz but the name, MAXCRUZ, is obviously weird. It's like it was named after someone named "Max Cruz". Yep, pun intended. Hyundai kinda gave it a person's name for the long wheelbase version of the Santa Fe DM.

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz interior

How does it compare it to the Santa Fe DM? On the outside view, the Maxcruz features a much more aggressive front face. In fact, the hexagonal grille now comes with four bars rather than three bars that the grille of the Santa Fe DM had. Then, the rear view of the Maxcruz is a bit more sophisticated than the Tucson-styled back that the Santa Fe DM had. Also, there has been a change in dimensions. The Maxcruz has an additional 100mm of wheelbase, 216mm long, and 11mm higher than the Santa Fe DM.

The Maxcruz also comes with an improved rigidity and an ultra-high strength tensile steel that improves collision energy management. Surprisingly, this ultra-high strength tensile steel reduces weight and also allows the suspension to work optimally. They were applied to those outer door panels for the first time in the company's history. Sounds interesting though...

2013 Hyundai Maxcruz interior

Shockingly though, the only engine available is the 16-valve e-VGT R2.2 engine which produces 200PS of power and 44.5 kg-m of torque while being mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. 2WD variants will have a fuel economy of 11.9km/L while 4WD variants will have a fuel economy of 11.3km/L.

Just like the Santa Fe DM, the Maxcruz has the Flex Steer feature that changes the behavior of the handling. It has three modes - Comfort, Normal, and Sport. They're ideal in varying driving preferences and road conditions. Uh, yeah, right. They were ideal but what about some practical stuff?

If you go for the more expensive version, there's this cool feature that parks by itself. With this feature, the Maxcruz will find the applicable parking area and when it detects, stop here, shift to reverse and watch it park by itself. You can even feel it while wearing a blindfold! Get it?

The Maxcruz also comes with BlueLink telematics system combines safety, service and infotainment features to simplify owners' lives and reduce distracted driving. You can even use your smartphone as a substitute car key to open the Maxcruz or then start the engine as you were far away from the Maxcruz. That beats the everyday hassle of starting the car. Interesting...Those Koreans sure know how to make a smart car with smart features for added convenience...

Available colors are: Cream White, Mystic Beige, Sleek Silver, Hyper Metallic, Glacier, Red Merlot, Hunter Green, Arabian Mocha, Ocean View, and Timeless Black.

So, there we are. The Maxcruz from Hyundai. It may have a person's name for the Santa Fe LWB, it maybe available only in 2.2L diesel engine, it maybe start at 35,000,000 Won, and it maybe somewhat known to be the Veracruz successor but this is somewhat a sizing fit for a politician. The Maxcruz really addressed the issue where the third-row seating from the Santa Fe DM seems unfit and that's pretty good for a full-size Korean crossover. Sadly though, I'm not kinda sold to this one...

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company