The Kia Carens, which is a compact MPV launched in 1999, has now been updated and this new version, made under the codename "RP", is becoming a bit more interesting for ordinary families.
2013 Kia Carens
Here it is. It made a world premiere at Paris Motor Show last year and this car isn't quite a looker when you look at its boxy proportions. It could almost be a potential threat to the Chevrolet Orlando MPV, that's for sure but unlike the Orlando, the all new Carens is smaller in dimensions. That's a flaw for the new model but unlike the Orlando which comes with some utter Cruze-like interior that doesn't make sense to the driver, the new interior of the Carens is a bit modest if I'm honest. Sadly though, if you are opting for a seven seater model, access to the third-row seats still has the conventional way of folding the second row seats which I'm afraid that most of the dirt of your shoes might ruin the back of the 2nd row seats and you may have to clean it again whereas the Orlando comes with an easier access to third-row seats, respectively.
2013 Kia Carens interior
Whereas the Orlando comes with the 2.0L diesel and a 2.0L LPG engine, the all new Carens decided to take smaller ones because of its size. Well, what powers the new Carens? A 1.7L CRDi-VGT engine or a 2.0L liquefied petroleum injection engine. The 1.7L diesel engine produces about 140PS of power, that's 23PS less than the Orlando's 2.0L diesel engine. Also, combined fuel economy for the Carens with the 1.7L CRDi-VGT engine is 13.2km/L, that's also less than the Orlando with the 2.0L diesel mated with automatic transmission. Oh, that Carens with the 1.7L diesel engine is available only with a 6-speed automatic.
How about the one with the 2.0L LPGi engine on it? That's good news because while the Chevrolet Orlando with a 2.0L LPGi engine has 140PS of power, the new Kia Carens with the 2.0L LPGi engine edges out with 154PS of power. That's 14PS more! Also, it's much more economical than the Orlando LPGi because the new Carens with the 2.0L LPGi engine has a fuel economy of 9km/L. Make it 9.5km/L if you're opted with the Carens LPGi model with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Unlike the Orlando, the new Carens also come with a party piece that you will notice and that is the SPAS, the one where the Carens uses sensors to find a parking space and then automatically parks it for you. This self-parking system is so surprising, you can even blindfold yourself and then when you remove it and notice that if your new Carens is parked, you'll get yourself a grin on your face. You can even do this even while you have some busy stuff in your hand such as playing something on your PSP, your iPhone, iPad, anything...
Here's the price list for the new Carens, all priced in Korean Won:
뉴 카렌스 1.7 VGT 프레스티지 A/T 24,200,000
뉴 카렌스 1.7 VGT 노블레스 A/T 27,150,000
뉴 카렌스 1.7 VGT 디럭스 A/T 20,850,000
뉴 카렌스 1.7 VGT 럭셔리 A/T 22,350,000
뉴 카렌스 2.0 LPI 프레스티지 A/T 23,000,000
뉴 카렌스 2.0 LPI 노블레스 A/T 25,950,000
뉴 카렌스 2.0 LPI 디럭스 A/T 19,650,000
뉴 카렌스 2.0 LPI 럭셔리 A/T 21,150,000
뉴 카렌스 2.0 LPI 디럭스 M/T 18,000,000
Furthermore, the all new Carens is "great value" for your money if you can't afford a Chevrolet Orlando by yourself and that's the end of it.
But the question is, should you really buy this new Carens over the Chevrolet Orlando? I don't know but the jury's out because a Kia Carens with a 1.7L diesel starts at around 20,850,000 Won, that's definitely affordable than the Chevrolet Orlando diesel's starting price of 22,100,000 Won. That's right. You can really afford one rather than the Chevy MPV.
Since Columbian Autocar Corporation said that they're going to bring this new model to the Philippines soon in diesel only, I just think of something odd because since we're a Euro II country, I'm afriad that this new Carens doesn't work here because the 1.7 diesel is Euro V compliant and you know the rules...
JC: Hang on...hang on...hang on...Is the souffle girl IN the convention?
RH: Yeah...
JC: Really?
RH: Uh nope.
(audience laughing)
RH: No sight of someone dressed as souffle girl! When I was there, I see those youths dressed as their favorite Doctor Who characters wearing exactly the same. I see 4th, I see 10th, I see 11th (including me), then I see Tardises. Also, I see Rose, I see Amy, and I also see Captain Jack.
JC: Captain Jack Harkness?
RH: Exactly. Seems those blokes really know how to find some "army surplus special" to make them look like Captain Jack!
(audience laughing)
RH: Hammond, we'll just cover up your cover story later and let's do the news!
JM: Right, the news and Wave finally completed the BEACH QUEENS THE iDOLM@STER lineup with none other than the lovely Ritsuko Akizuki. Here it is, look...
WAVE Beach Queens Ritsuko Akizuki
JM: This is exactly what I always wanted to have. It should be on sale in late September with the price tag of just 3,990 Yen and like most Beach Queens figures, the head is rotatable and also, you can even swap her hairstyle.
JC: James, do you think you're obsessed with this? I mean look at Ritchan, I kinda don't like her and she kinda reminds me of Doctor Who's Donna Noble, a lot...
(audience laughing)
JC: ...she's not quite a fan favorite but she is brilliant...
RH: Oh my gosh, I really don't know what he's talking about...
(audience laughing)
RH: Anyway, Chevrolet launched an updated version of the Camaro at the New York Auto Show, here it is look...
2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
RH:...it even marks the return of the Z28 model, which is sacred to every Camaro enthusiasts worldwide and it's possibly the most track-focused Camaro ever built thanks to some stiffer suspension and sharper steering. It even comes with a seven-litre V8 engine that you would find in the previous Corvette Z06. It's not that bad. I think it can be a suitable nip/tuck for Bumblebee when it return's for next year's fourth Transformers movie, which some say Mark Wahlberg's on it...
JC: Rich, if I might ask...When Chevrolet facelifted the Camaro, do you know what it looked like just now?
RH: Uh...
JC: It looked like the Lucky & Wild Evolver from Ridge Racer 3D from the 3DS! Nintendo 3DS!
(audience laughing)
RH: What?
JC: Look at it...
Ridge Racer 3D
(audience laughing)
RH: Oh my goodness! That wasn't supposed to happen...
JC: Well, it seems most of bosses told the designers to take a vacation in Japan, specifically at the Bandai Namco headquarters to study things...
RH: So, what you're saying is that they sent those guys to Tokyo for some inspiration and then lead to this?
(audience laughing)
JC: Blame it to 765 Productions, Hammond. Perhaps the 2014 Camaro now styled to look like Ridge Racer's Evolver muscle car!
(audience laughing)
JM: What's next? Evolver with an Hibiki Ganaha livery on it?
(audience laughing)
JC: Anyway, as we all know, the Subaru STi has been withdrawn from the UK market due to currency issues and sales. Very sad. Now, Subaru's featured a concept car of what will the next WRX STi may look like. Here it is...
Subaru WRX Concept
(wow)
JC: It looks fantastic, and I have to say that when this guy shows up in the near future, it will going to be the best WRX STi ever made and it's every Speedo Boy' fantasy to have the next one.
RH: I agree, it looks fantastic, it's going to be the best WRX STi ever made, and...HEY! What do you mean Speedo Boy?
(audience laughing)
JC: Now, you know North Korea, right? North Korea. It seems that everyday, the North Korea, or should I say, the Bad Korea, is keep threathening the world because of the United Nations, South Korea, USA, and Japan since December's missle launch and February's nuclear test which proven to be small and powerful. Now, I wonder why does North Korea keeps making threats all the time.
RH: Why?
JC: I don't know. Either under Kim Jong Un's orders, a state-run television, or the state-run newspaper with an unpronounceable name. I think its...Rodong-Nodong-Modong-Sodong-Kodong-Dodong...
(audience laughing hysterically)
RH: So this whole Sodom-Modom-Rodom-Totom...thingy kept on making an announcement that North Korea wants to kill us all eh?
JC: Exactly. North Korea often making death threats against the world all day long. First, they'll make a pre-emptive nuclear strike against Washington, then North Korea nullified the armistice that ended the Korean War from the 50's, then North Korea disconnected hotlines linking the North and the South, then North Korea's on a "State of War", then North Korea readies their missles to strike the US, then North Korea threathend to close the Kaesong Industrial Park. It just goes on and on, it's like North Korea's winning in the game of Cards Against Humanity.
(audience laughing)
JM: Cards Against Humanity?
JC: It's a rubbish game. What's it all about? Anyway, while threats from North Korea against the world will continue everyday, anyone saw Olympus Has Fallen? Hands up...
(audience raising hands)
RH: Olympus Has Fallen?
JC: Yes, Olympus Has Fallen. It's a movie when terrorists destroyed Washington and a Secret Service ageint risks everything to secure the US President. Imagine, if North Koreans launched a missle to destroy Washington, this is the words you'll say to the President, the Congress, and the United Nations. Ahem...OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN! I REPEAT, OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN!
(audience laughing)
RH: Oh yeah, if Kim Jong Un destroyed Washington, what's your view? Do you think North Korea will turn planet Earth into a sea of fire? Is North Korea threathen to END HUMANITY?
(audience laughing)
JC: Precisely. That's why North Korea wanted to turn this planet into a sea of fire and then the only continent standing in this planet is none other than North Korea itself. Imagine if those state-run media from North Korea announced that "North Korea will end all humanity", perhaps the best way to save yourself is pray...
RH: Pray?!
(audience laughing)
JC: Yes. Pray. Pray to God that North Korea will suffer...
(audience laughing)
JC: Let's face it. When months of June came, here come the storms. Storms always affecting parts of the Philippines, even the superstormy ones. Hopefully, when North Korea gets flooded, I'd expect no one from the foreign community to help North Korea because of nuclear reasons and death threats against the world. Sure, North Korea threatens to destroy ever single US Base in the world, especially those from South Korea and Japan but if you're listening to me, North Korea, your country feels like it's worshipping Lucifer and worshipping the fallen. Those guys are so GRRRR....
(audience laughing)
JM: Perhaps then that North Korea's becoming a nation of terrorists. A country even worse than Al Qaeda or worse of all. They're just like...um...THE GREAT INTELLIGENCE.
RH: Oh geez....
(audience laughing)
JM: Hey! Guys! Guess what? GOOD NEWS!!!
(audience laughing, then cheers and applause)
JC: What?
JM: I've just heard back in the Game Developers Conference 2013 that Sir Hideo Kojima announced a new Metal Gear game titled METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN! (cheers and applause)
JC: Great.
JM: Check out that clip...
(cheers and applause)
JC: Unbelievable! Fantastic! Molto bene! Looking forward for the next chapter of Big Boss' story, which is strange that after a 9 year coma, it seems that Big Boss lost everything. Love that trailer though...
RH: Me too!
JC: And that's the end of the news! Happy Easter! And stay away from North Korea!
Aston Martin Vanquish for Forza Horizon's April Top Gear Pack
Here it is, it's the final car pack of Horizon to be covered on the Season Pass and this is known to be the April Top Gear Car Pack, due out in Tuesday! With the collaboration between Forza Horizon and the hit TV series BBC Top Gear, players are indulged with six new rides including the new Aston Martin Vanquish that James May drove on the USA road trip episode of Top Gear Series 19 and the Bowler Nemesis EXR-S.
List of cars:
2012 Aston Martin Vanquish
2012 Bowler EXR S
2011 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale Zagato
2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan
1998 Mercedes-Benz AMG Mercedes CLK GTR
2002 BMW M3-GTR (FREE Download)
This pack costs 400MSP but Season Pass owners get it for free. However, for Season Pass owners, this will be the last DLC Car Pack to be covered here.
BBC's Doctor Who Series 7 returned on the telly with an episode titled THE BELLS OF SAINT JOHN where The Doctor (donned in his brand new outfit) and his brand new partner Clara Oswald (ahem, just Clara Oswald, okay? Not Clara Oswin Oswald, the souffle girl) are on a race against time to find out what something lurks behind the wi-fi connections.
What I learned on this episode (well, thanks to that blithering idiot Moffat did) is MONKS ARE NOT COOL. Guess I really don't want to get through someone else's home dressed as a monk. And lastly, be careful with the wi-fi connections you're connecting at, it may sometimes there's someone watching you. Whatcha know? It's a brillant episode, eh?
I really love Clara Oswald because she has some wide charisma and a wide sense that Whovians really love to know about her.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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