Mazda Flair Wagon (2nd generation)

2014 Mazda Flair Wagon

As I speak, Mazda borrowed the 2014 Suzuki Spacia as the basis for its OEM model, the new Mazda Flair Wagon, replacing the Palette-borrowed Flair Wagon model. It's an all new model for Mazda which can rival the likes of the Honda N BOX or the Daihatsu Tanto.

Like the Spacia, the new Flair Wagon comes with the same fuel-efficient features such as Suzuki's Ene-Charge system where with the R06A engine combined with an electric motor and li-ion battery, ENE-CHARGE comes with an regenerative braking system and uses some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine while it can also run certain electrical equipment. It promises a class-leading 29kmpl of fuel economy based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

I can also tell you that the new Flair Wagon is available in late April 2013 with the starting price of just 1,265,250 Japanese Yen for the entry level XG model.

Outtake: A debate about who's who will be cosplaying at this year's SC

OUTTAKE:

At this point, Sakura-Con 2013 starts this Friday at the Washington State Convention Center for three days and we are getting skeptical about bumping into someone dressing as his/her favorite characters. In the meantime, some boys are in Baskin Robins (where I'm altering their names to protect their identities) and having a debate about encountering fresh cosplays...

James: Have we talked about RE6?

Jeremy: Uh nope...Never played that game...

James: Well, I think it's fantastic. It's the best chapter of the franchise yet. I bet I might be catching someone dressing as either Leon, Chris, Jake Muller, and others.

Jeremy: Uh...yeah. Right. Well, probably, the one who dressed himself as Jake Muller is the one thing I might bump into when we are in the convention...

James: So, looking forward for those?

Jeremy: Well, yeah. You know what else those youths will be dressing as?

(eating ice cream)

James: Well, we already talked about those who will be dressed as earlier. Well, we say souffle girl, Aveline, Connor, Daryl Dixon, Adam Jensen from Deus Ex, Agent 47, Rico Rodriguez, there were others we've mentioned.

Jeremy: Hmmmm....I bet there more. Well, it's too rare to get bump into someone wearing Guy Fawkes mask.

James: Guy Fawkes? Oh! The Guy Fawkes mask as seen from V for Vendetta! I saw that movie. Kinda dark about the storyline though...

Jeremy: Yeah but I'd never saw that film but I might have a chance to get bumped into one of those...

(eating ice cream)

Jeremy: James!

James: What?

Jeremy: The Nanosuit from the Crysis series!

James: Nano-what?

Jeremy: Nanosuit! Ever played Crysis?

James: Uh...nope...

Jeremy: The latest Crysis 3?

James: Not yet...

Jeremy: Uh...okay then...um...you know that recently launched Bioshock Infinite? I bet I might encounter someone dressed as Infinite main protagonist Booker DeWitt.

James: Well, I'd never played that new game before but see if we care.

Jeremy: Okay, if that's what we want. Oh, if you mind...gotta pee...

(FIVE MINUTES LATER)

Jeremy: James! James! James!

James: What is it?

Jeremy: Andy Hinomiya from THE UNLIMITED.

James: Jeremy, there isn't a chance to meet someone dressed as Andy Hinomiya for now...

Jeremy: Oh... Oh wait! Did you watch a show titled Revolution?

James: What's Revolution?

Jeremy: It's a show made by J.J. Abrams, it's about the whole world cut off from electricity and years later, it's been engulfed into a civil war between the rebels and militia. Like that show though... I bet that main heroine, Charlie Mattheson, is becoming my spiritual animal...

James: Hmmmm? Well, I'd never watch a drama about the world engulfed into darkness and I don't know who she is...

Jeremy: Oh.

James: Call The Midwife? You watched?

Jeremy: Uh...nope. Not quite...

James: Well, I might be encountering someone dressed as the midwives of Nonnatus House, especially as main character Jenny Lee or your favorite character Chummy.

Jeremy: Chummy? Who's Chummy?

James: Chummy's played by none other than fames comedian Miranda Hart.

(eating ice cream)

Jeremy: Psst...Psst...James...

James: What is it?

Jeremy: Sofia the First. It's a new show from Disney Junior. I bet I might caught little girls dressing as princesses, especially Sofia the First.

James: Oh! Very good! Very good!

Jeremy: Also...Jake and the Neverland Pirates. I might caught little kids dressed as pirates.

(indistinct talking)

OUTTAKE END

Break Through - Karen GUY's

Break Through

The more times I watch THE UNLIMITED, the more I'm starting to getting to know more about the most feared ESPer from PANDRA, along with his sombreness, his guilt, his past, any mysteries lurking about his identity. Yes, thank you and this anime series is not without some plot holes. Even though it's enriched with dark sides of the story, I think it's rather nice.

Following with DARKNESS NIGHT｜BRIGHTEST LIGHT, this new album titled Break Through features a compilation of songs from Kyousuke Hyobu (CV: Koji Yusa), Andy Hinomiya (CV: Junichi Suwabe), Koichi Minamoto (CV: Yuichi Nakamura), and Syuji Sakaki (CV: Kisho Taniyama).

TRACK LISTING:

1) BEFORE FOREVER

2) Realize Mission

3) DARKNESS NIGHT

4) …Out of Control… ver.2

5) COME TOGETHER!!!!

6) ミライノサキへ

7) BRIGHTEST LIGHT

8) ALIVE

9) BRAND NEW EDEN

10) DARKNESS NIGHT—BRIGHTEST LIGHT

Also, for a limited time, the LIMITED EDITION not only comes with the music CD but also a special DVD featuring a textless closing sequences, a special invitation to the special event called MEET THE OUTLAWS where you can meet and greet the cast of THE UNLIMITED -Kyosuke Hyobu- anime series, and a special 4-piece bromides featuring the boys from THE UNLIMITED TV series.

2014 Cadillac CTS signals a graduation

2014 Cadillac CTS

Since its inception in 2002, the Cadillac CTS, which replaces the Opel Omega-based Catera, is America's answer to entry-level luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and the BMW 3-Series. When it received its full model change in 2007, the car behind the Art & Science motif of Cadillac keeps on growing.

Set for New York Auto Show reveal, the all-new third-generation CTS has now graduated from compact executive car to luxury mid-size executive car and now, it's all eyes against the 5-Series, the A6, the recently facelifted E-Class, XF, the Infiniti M (soon to be renamed as Q70) or the Lexus GS!

It has grown in dimensions, it now has a better looking design, new typical Caddy interior (where the dashboard kinda feels like Isaac Clarke's helmet), and best of all, new engine choices. You can either have a 2.0L turbo, a 3.6L V6, or a brand new 3.6L V6 turbo engine offered exclusively in the new Vsport model.

To be clear, if BMW has M-Sport and Lexus has F-Sport, Cadillac has Vsport. The new variant features an enhanced bodywork and some sporting credentials that you might expect on a normal Cadillac V-car.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-cadillac-cts-sedan-revealed-in.html

2014 Range Rover Sport premiered in NY

2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

With a little help from special guest, James Bond actor Daniel Craig, the whole Manhattan stopped for a whole moment just to experience the world premiere of the new generation Range Rover Sport.

The reason why New York was chosen as the premiere point is because it is the world’s largest metropolitan market for the Range Rover Sport: more of these models are sold in this city than any other in the world.

Story: http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/daniel-craig-launches-new-range-rover-sport-in-new-york

For this new model, it follows the trend of its brother, the standard Range Rover, by dropping 800lbs of weight thanks to its aluminum bodywork. It even comes with an updated version of Terrain Response as seen on the standard Range Rover as well. Well, you know, the one with the Automatic setting on it that detects road conditions.

For the first time in Land Rover history that the Range Rover Sport now has 7-seats! 7-seats! In a Range Rooney! That's a first!

Story: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/26/2014-land-rover-range-rover-sport-drops-800-pounds-adds-v6-and-third-row/

Mitsubishi previews its Latio fighter

Mitsubishi Concept G4

What ths is is Mitsubishi's vision of an upcoming compact sedan that competes to the likes of the Nissan Latio sedan. It's called the Concept G4 and it uses the present day Mirage compact as its foundation and it's another one of the Thai eco cars.

Details remain light for now but Mitsubishi says that the G4's design leaves a sharp impression as it drives off into the distance.

Story: http://paultan.org/2013/03/26/mitsubishi-concept-g4-global-sedan/

North American exclusive XKR-S GT

2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT

Apart from the world premiere of the 2014 Jaguar XJR at this year's New York Auto Show, Jaguar will also be revealing the special edition XKR-S GT, a track-focused, road legal model based on the Jaguar XKR-S, which is limited to 30 cars, all destined for the North American market.

It's a model made to celebrate 25 years of Jaguar's R Performance and with this model, it still comes with the same aluminum quad cam 5-litre V8 supercharged engine that produces 550PS of power  but comes with race-inspired exterior design and enhanced aerodynamics. While top speed is limited to 186mph (280km/h), the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) drops from 4.2 to 3.9 seconds.

First time for a JAAAAAG is carbon ceramic brakes and such implementation dropped about 21kg of weight.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/jaguar-celebrates-25-years-of-r.html

2014 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift previewed via 2014 Buick Regal

2014 Buick Regal GS

If this hints what the 2014 Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift would look like, yes. The 2014 Buick Regal range, set for debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show, DOES preview the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia facelift. You can expect new front noses, new rear lamps, and a new interior.

There is a drawback regarding the updated version. On the GS model, the 2.0L Turbo engnie had suffered a power drop from 270HP to 259HP, which is bad but this 2.0L Turbo engine that now churns 259HP of power can be offered on the normal Regal Turbo version, which is good. The Regal eAssist with the 2.4L engine and eAssist light electrification technology that makes 182 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque still retains as well.

For added good news though that both the Regal Turbo and the Regal GS with automatic trannies will come with a new AWD system that incorporates electronic limited-slip differential to help optimize traction in all driving conditions.

Like the 2014 LaCrosse big brother, the 2014 Regal comes with new safety features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking.

Look for the 2014 Regal range this fall 2013.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/buick-shows-facelifted-2014-regal-gs.html

2014 Buick LaCrosse (GM Korea Alpheon) for NY debut

2014 Buick LaCrosse

Set for New York Auto Show debut, the minor change version of the Buick LaCrosse for the 2014 is getting a bit more interesting and a bit more "flagship" for a world-class luxury car. Aside from a well-refined exterior, the interior is now all new and it even comes with Buick's IntelliLink telematics system.

It's now safer as well thanks to numerous safety features such as Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Change Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Automatic Collision Preparation.

It still comes with front- and all-wheel-drive models with two gasoline powertrains: a 2.4-liter engine with eAssist or a 3.6-liter direct-injected V6, both linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This car is set for NY debut and sales start in Summer 2013. Sadly though, it is unclear for Koreans if the Alpheon will get the same treatment as the 2014 LaCrosse.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/03/2014-buick-lacrosse-features-mild.html

Nissan revealed sketch for upcoming NMKV model

Upcoming NMKV model previewed in a sketch

Nissan previews an upcoming rival to the Honda N-BOX, Daihatsu Tanto, and the Suzuki Spacia and this sketch did signal a preview for the second addition to the Nissan-Mitsubishi kei car venture. Some say, that this will be the replacement for the Mitsubishi Toppo tall kei wagon and its Nissan version of the said replacement will bear the name DAYZ ROOX. Both of these models will be revealed in early 2014.

Earlier, Mitsubishi revealed their new generation eK Wagon while Nissan spawns its own version of the new Mitsubishi eK Wagon called the DAYZ. Both the new eK and the DAYZ will go on sale in Japan only this summer 2013.

Story: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/1/182488/

Xian Lim, IHAW NA!

On March 25, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, Tito Bhoy interviews actor Xian Lim, about how's been with Kim Chiu, his shirt's size, and his interests.

Also, Melai Cantiveros has a tip for you, ladies, this Summer. In Laugh Three, you ladies have three ways to touch a hunk's abs in the beach...

Tip 1: Tell him if his abs are real or not

Tip 2: Pretend you're blind...

Tip 3: Bring some spreads!

2014 Nissan March previewed in Bangkok

2014 Nissan March

At this year's Bangkok Motor Show, Nissan used this venue to showcase the minor change version of the Nissan March/Micra K13 compact car after being in the markets since the summer of 2010. For this minor change, the March K13 features a new front view, enhanced rear lamps, and an updated interior.

The Nissan March K13 was launched in Japan since July 2010 and it was essentialy imported from Thailand. It was the first model to come with Nissan's brand new HR12DE engine which is a 1.2 L straight-3 engine that produces 59 kW (79 hp) of power and 108 N·m (80 ft·lbf) of torque.

Story: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/5/182444/