What's in our Car Town garage today? (May 21, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2010 Mini Cooper S JCW

John Cooper is a name synonymous to the world of motorsports where he won three Monte Carlo Rally titles and 16 Grand Prix races. Having planting his name to high-performance versions of the Mini, John Cooper Works or JCW are high performance Minis that was proven small but mighty on track days while being usable on the roads. Because racing's in the Mini blood, the JCW model of the Mini Cooper is exactly what you want to expect for a high-performance hot hatch named after a legendary racer.

2010 Mini Cooper S JCW

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

While most offroaders of today were too focused on being luxurious, the FJ Cruiser isn't. Drawing inspiration from the FJ40, the FJ Cruiser is an offroader that can take you places wherever you go. Thanks to its class-leading ground clearance and loaded with other offroad peripherals as well as X-REAS, the FJ Cruiser can conquer any terrain wherever you are.

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Indy 500 Pace Car

The C6 Corvette ZR1 is the pinnacle of the Chevrolet high-performance cars because of its performance figures that can outrun most of its European enemies on road and track. For 2012, the C6 Corvette ZR1 has given the chance to be the Pace Car of the 2012 Indianapolis 500 Season and it was driven by Guy Fieri. This was the first for the ZR1 to became a pace car for the Indy 500 season but sadly, no replicas were made.

2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Indy 500 Pace Car

VIDEO: Toyota 86 drift car with a Corvette V8?!

ExtremeDrivingTV, a YouTube channel featuring extreme driving from Japan and the "Engrish" subs that leaves us puzzled, showcased what's up for D1 Drifter Manabu Orido's Toyota 86 drift car and you wouldn't believe what you just saw...

Manabu's 86 drift car was rigged with a Corvette V8 engine, but to be specific, a 7.0L V8 engine you would expect on the Corvette Z06. Reason for this cool engine swap is because last year, Manabu became a victim of power shortage and engine troubles on his 86 drift car so he decided to put in a new engine! The 7.0L V8 Corvette engine that powers Manabu's 86 drift car is smaller and 50kg lighter than the previous Lexus V8 engine. It also comes with a genuine dry sump as well.

Find out how does this new engine sums up by watching this Extreme video...

Let's Do The News! (May 20, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JC: Hmmm....James, why did you told that if such thing could happen, it's going to be personal?

JM: Well, to put it this way, we might end up moving underground if an all-out nuclear war broke out. I mean think about North Korea, they're going to launch a nuclear war any time if South Korea, USA, and Japan keeps meddling the Korean peninsula with their sanctions, bans, or whatever they can throw to the North.

JC: I agree with you, James. And recently, I just heard that yesterday, North Korea just test firing three missile, short-guided to be precise, off the east coast and into the sea. Seems that the Rodongs strike back and the whole topic about the NORTH KOREAN CRISIS resumes.

RH: Uh-oh....The Rodongs Strike Back?! What do you mean Rodongs?

JC: I made that up since of that rubbish Rodong Sinmun mentioning something something North Korea something something...

(audience laughing)

JC: ....something something provocations. Well, to add that to the insult, it seems that USA will be test-firing their intercontinental ballistic missile, scheduled for this week and based on what the North Koreans said, they will use "unbelievably strong force" against its attackers in case of any violation of its sovereignty.

JM: Yeah, and it's not just the North's messing up with the USA again. It's Taiwan messing up with the Philippines ever since a Philippine coast guard killed a Taiwanese fisherman, sparking outrage from Taiwan and deploying too much naval fleet near the Philippine coastline.

JC: Can't believe it's getting too much tension right now. Hey! Think about the children, morons! You don't want to get the whole Glukhovsky novel to come true and otherwise, live in the underground sewers!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, let's forget about this okay? Let's move on because time right now for the news, baby! And Aston Martin revealed their new car, concept car for now, and here's the picture of it...

2013 Aston Martin CC100 Speedster Concept

(wow)

JC: What this is, this just another one of Aston Martin's Centenary offerings, made to celebrate 100 years of Aston Martin, and I think this is just rather brilliant. The only concern I was hoping for is your face and promise me, it's going to be more weirder than mine when I was on the Atom...

(audience laughing)

JM: Well, I think it's rather good. This special machine harks back to the legendary DBR1 racing machine and overall...

JC: Still bending your face when you take it out on a max speed run.

(audience laughing)

JC: Also, if you had a pretty lady next to you and the next time you blow this baby up, she'll end up looking like...Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls!

(audience laughing)

RH: Uh, hey buddy. Since when did you get obsessed with...

JC: Hush now, Hammond. Let's move on. Okay, boybands. I know what you're thinking but most of the girls love to join the action no matter how bad it is or when a venue's got sold out. Girls, especially those under the age of 10, just can't get enough of boy band crazy. Question is when you are approaching to a boy band unexpectedly, what would you do? Using my mystic other worldly powers, I'll give you two choices on what to do, as a fangirl, if you encounter a boy band backstage unexpectedly. Okay, if you're a Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls, you might as well keep the boy band at your room you are free to let the boy band do the things to you. Or if you're a Louise Belcher from Bob's Burgers, you might as well slap the member with the ridiculously handsome face.

(audience laughing)

JM: (scratching head)

RH: Um...What are you talking about? We're not girls you know...

JC: Just imagine if you were a certain fan girl. Choose! Choose what would you do if you meet a boy band backstage! The Mabel Pines way or the Louise Belcher way? Come on! It's boy band crazy...

(audience laughing)

RH: Um...if I were going to be Mabel Pines, I could just hide the boy band in my room, or if I were going to be Louise Belcher, I could just slap the hell out of someone's handsome face. I'd go with the Louise way!

(audience laughing)

JC: Hammond! Why would you want to be Louise when it comes to boy bands?

RH: Well, like you said. If I was Louise Belcher, I could just slap the most handsome member of a boy band and this is as bold as the Audi commercial! Bravery wins!

(audience laughing)

JC: Yep. Bravery wins, Hammond. Bravery wins. You might as well slap the most handsome member of a boy band like what Louise did on Bob's Burgers. Girls? If you were in a middle of a backstage, what method would you use on a boy band? The Mabel way or the Louise way?

(audience murmuring)

JC: Well, most go for the Mabel Pines way while some go for the Louise Belcher way... It's either hide the boys or slap someone. Hoorah...

RH: Hey, seems that the Dubai cops really want to play a game of Hot Pursuit against speeders because last time, they had a Lamborghini Aventador, Aston-Martin One-77, Chevrolet Camaro, and a Ferrari FF in their arsenal. Now, the Dubai cops are using, and we're not making this up, Bugatti Veyron!

JC: Wait a minute? The cops from Dubai are using the Bugatti Veyron as their cop car?! Wow! Dubai speeders, beware. When you see one of these chasing you down, looks like you'll be in a lot of mess right now when a Dubai cop's driving a police Veyron on your tail.

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh yeah. Maybe they only thing that the cops forgot that there's something even faster to outrun the Veyron and it could be either a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport or a Hennessey Venom GT and because the cops didn't had one, this makes it a fair advantage for the speeding crooks in Dubai to outrun the law until they get themselves totaled....

JC: Or got hit by a spike strip...

(audience laughing)

RH: Thanks bro. I almost forgot...Anyway if you remember back in the 90's, GMA aired a Sunday afternoon drama titled Anna Karenina which centers on three different women with different struggles they're facing. I kinda forgot about what goes about the whole GMA Anna Karenina stuff but anyway, it's back! The new Anna Karenina, soon on GMA7, will star Barbie Forteza, Krystal Reyes, and Joyce Ching as Anna, Karen, and Nina. To be clear, Krystal Reyes will be playing the role of Anna Karenina "Anna" Montecarlo while Barbie Forteza will star as Anna Karenina "Karen" Villarama and Joyce Ching as Anna Karenina "Nina" Fuentebella.

JC: Well, honestly. I do remember the original Anna Karenina in the past. It was one of my favorite TV dramas on GMA and I'm so glad that one of my favorite 90's TV drama gets a reboot and features some of the fresh faces of GMA. Looking forward to it. Oh and before we end, I just heard that there has been a massive tornado that hit the midwest earlier and I just wanna say our thoughts go for those who got affected by the tornado at the midwest. We do hope to stay safe and God bless you no matter what.

(cheers and applause)

JC: And that's the end of the news!

Metro Last Light

Metro Last Light (XBOX 360 Ver.)

Привет, товарищи! (Hello Comrades!)

If you're reading this right now, then it could only mean one thing, the whole world's got engulfed in an all-out nuclear war, but that's okay. As long as you are one of the survivors living under the nuclear-torn Moscow, you're safe for now...or is it? Anyway, the sequel to 2010's cult classic first person survival horror shooter game based on the best selling novel written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, packs an even more darker atmosphere than the first one and if by darker, it's still one of the scariest action games of the year and by the moment you'll be sitting in the dark, playing Last Light, the experience is going to be terribly uncomfortable because the dark storyline derived from the first two novels will leave you breathless on what might comes next.

Now for those who don't know what that is, this science fiction horror novel is set in a fictional Moscow in the year 2033, two decades since an all-out nuclear war broke out, destroying everything on sight while the remaining survivors are struggling for survival in the tunnels of the Metro. Artyom, the main protagonist of the story, who was born before the holocaust, burdened by guilt, but driven by hope, is mankind's last light in their darkest hour.

The novel, along with its second chapter, Metro 2034, sold over 2,000,000 copies worldwide and for this year, Glukhovsky's working for a third chapter, set to be available outside Russia. Anyway, enough about book analogy and into the game.

In Last Light, the storyline is more of a retold to the original but no matter what, it's still worth a claustrophobic one. You'll still getting puked all over to the terrifying storyline that leaves gamers and readers of the novels alike confused and questioned for what comes next. Also, like any other survival games, resources are scarce so you have to make use of it. Not only you need a wide selection of weapons and items but also an effective strategy. Your best bet is to use your ammunition wisely against human or mutant enemies above or below or use stealth to get through places unnoticed. Let's just remember that you are in a middle of a civil war where the commies and nazis are fighting to take over the metro so your decisions will affect the outcome.

Here are some survival guides that will get you started while surviving the horrors of the post-nuclear Moscow...




So, the best way to survive is to make use of your weapons and items because they are very rare while some cost you military-grade rounds. Wait, what? Military-grade rounds? Oh yeah...In the world of Metro, those military-grade bullets served as your money to customize or buy weapons but spend it well because those military-grade bullets are very scarce and you might need to spend it well on the most powerful weapons in your arsenal. You can carry up to three weapons at the same time, but each weapon requires the right skill needed to make effective use with it.

Also, survival is necessary because even with the big guns, you can't survive without the key items. One of them is the gas mask because without it, you can't survive the poison sky from the nuclear-torn Moscow. Also, with the gas mask, expect that your visibility's getting affected because when it gets blurry because of the humidity going on in the nuclear-torn city, wipe it quickly and move on. Oh, and pay close attention to the wrist watch because it indicates how much air you're breathing and be sure you have enough filter to replace.

Anyway, while the gameplay is even more terrifying than the first one, it's still looks good. The lighting and physics look good and this signifies a new benchmark on video gaming graphics on both console and PC. That's kinda amazing though but still, Last Light will still terrify you with hours of gameplay, darker storyline, and of course, the multiple endings you'll be facing depending on your outcome. Even though it packs the same thrilling feel of other horror and FPS games, it's still packs some drama underneath the game itself. You won't going to enjoy this much longer because if such situations going to happen, things are getting personal and being the last hope for humanity takes a lot of guts if you got what it takes to be...

LIMITED EDITION:

If you had the LIMITED EDITION at hand, you have Day One access to the most difficult setting of all: RANGER MODE. In Ranger Mode, there's no HUD, tougher combat against enemies human and mutant, and very limited resources such as ammo and gas mask filters. Good for those who are up for some thrills and who are dared to rise to the challenge. For a head-start, you have a special Modified Russian Rifle and 100 military-grade rounds to customize your equipment.

Good luck, Ranger.

Let's Do The News! (May 19, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JC: Ouch...my head hurts...

RH: Yeah...me too...

JM: Ooohhhh....

JC: So, how was the finale?

JM: Well...I think it's not that bad, I think....(grunting)

(audience laughing)

RH: I would never watch that finale over and over again or else, it would be the dead of me.

(audience laughing)

JC: You know what else is more painful than watching the Doctor Who season 7 finale?

JM: What?

JC: The news...there's a new version of the BMW M5 and it's called the Competition Package. Here it is...

2014 BMW M5 Competition Package &
2014 BMW M6 Competition Package

JC: Uh...what this is, is still an M5 with a little button that makes it worse. For this though, the twin-turbo V8 engine it powers gets an additional 15HP of power and it can also be applied on the M6 coupe, which also has its own Competition Package. Sadly though, with those Competition Packages applied on those, I'm afraid these don't work.

(audience laughing)

JM: Hey, do you remember the M3 Competition Package you drove a couple of years ago? Yep, you would still prefer the standard M3 more than the one with the little button that makes it worse.

JC: I know. But with these new M5 and M6 though, those Competition Pack malarkeys is just utter nonsense. I mean who would want to buy either an M5 or an M6 with those pesky little pain inhibitors on it?

(audience laughing)

JC: Ugh....my head....still hurts!!!

JM: Me too! What else?

RH: Well, here's a super short teaser of an upcoming crossover between Phineas and Ferb, The Avengers, and Spider Man.  It's going to air on Disney Channel this summer and it's called Phineas and Ferb Mission Marvel. Sorry about that but it seems I, the hamster, got into the PAF malarkey.


Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel on Disney Video

(cheers and applause)

(all three moaning and groaning)

JC: Ouch! Too much cheering and applauding from the audience keeps our headaches worse! Keep it down, okay?

(slow applause)

JC: That's better. Hammond, since when did you got....oh wait...I knew this already. We're going to be on that show late this year, right?

RH: Okay...there's more news...because as you may know, The World God Only Knows will return for a third series and it will be focusing more on the manga's Goddesses arc. Got some info that there will be new characters, most of which are from the manga's Goddesses arc. Yuka Iguchi will play as Kujo Tsukiyo, the president of the school's astronomy club, Ayahi Takagaki as Yui Goido, and Haruka Tomatsu as the new district chief Lune.

JC: I'd never heard that this anime is coming back for a third series this summer but still, I'm looking forward to see Kaminomi's third series. I'm greatly looking forward for it...

RH: (moaning and groaning) Owww!!! My head!!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: What's wrong?

RH: More migraines!

JC: What? More migraines for explaining this? Oh wait! It's because of the Doctor Who Series 7 finale! He he he....(groaning) Owwww......my head....it's hurting again!!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Guys! We need to find something to relax ourselves after watching the Doctor Who Season 7 finale. Let's find something relaxing because this is much of a stress right now. If we keep this up, our headaches will get worse all the time!

JM: Okay then, but where? Where can you find something to ease out the stress?!

JC: I know where...in my grave!

(audience laughing)

JC: (groaning) Ow! No! No! Not again! Headaches again! Can we guys think of something even more relaxing?

RH: Uh wait...just west of weird?!

(audience laughing)

JC: That's Gravity Falls you bullocks! Think something relaxing! Think! Think! Think!

(No Wonder I by Lake plays)

JC: What was that?

RH: Probably the song BMO played in an episode of Adventure Time!

JC: Have you gone boonoonoonoo?!

JM: Actually, that is kinda relaxing...My head's getting better now...

JC: Hey! That is kinda relaxing!

RH: Yeah. The only concern we're facing is...getting attacked by bikini babes...

(audience laughing)

(music continues playing)

JC: Yeah, and while this song is playing, that's the end of the news!

Doctor Who Series 7 finale

The Name of The Doctor

Wow, I had such a headache after watching the finale of BBC Doctor Who Series 7 titled The Name of The Doctor. So crazingly intense, good thing not a single sign of head explosions in sight and instead, every Whovian who watched the finale got the headaches instead. The truth behind The Doctor and Clara...how does it affect the storyline? Don't tell me, tell the idiot Moffat instead but never mind. What matters most is that the only secret from The Doctor's...is his own whose promises were unfulfilled. So, any points, opinions, and violent reactions about the finale? If so, do it! They're waiting...

Anyway, with the finale ends with the message says "TO BE CONTINUED...ON NOVEMBER 23", see you on that said date because this is the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special we're looking forward to. 10 meets 11, Rose meets Clara, this will be awesome!

In the meantime, BTS from the season 7 finale

Also...a clip of Matt Smith and David Tennant share us something about the 50th anniversary special, coming this November 23rd, 2013.



That's it! Season 7 of Doctor Who is wrapped up with a bang! Glad we've enjoyed the most explosive season yet! From the Daleks, dinosaurs on a spaceship, the wild wild west, black cubes, Amelia Pond's final farewell, the snowmen, the wi-fi, Akhaten, nuclear submarine, some kind of ghost story, the heart of the TARDIS, Mr. Sweet, Cybermen, and the fields of Trenzalore; this season has it all. Sure, there has been references to classic Who while some spark some outrage from the viewers, others gave us a smile, a tear, and a scare, but overall, Season 7 of Doctor Who has been proven a big one. It's too much adrenaline fueled on this season.

So, what can I say? Thanks for watching! See you on the 50th anniversary special!

Let's Do The News! (May 18, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JC: So, you would say that this film would have been quite better if it has some sort of pantomime feeling?

JM: Oh yes. Sometimes, this film needs to have an even more darker feel than than the first one and best of all, it needs some originality because this film feels more of a retold rather than having an original storyline.

JC: Okay, I suppose that it needs some originality but hey, sure is nice to see the Sherlock dude being the bad guy in the film. Anyway, let's do the news!

JM: Yeah and it's great news! Underground Toys are ready reveal brand new Doctor Who figures and most of which are based from Series 7. Here it is...

(awwww)

JM: Yep. They're all in 3.75 inches glory. There's the Dalek, Weeping Angel, The Doctor (in his new outfit), there's Clara Oswald for the very first time, new Ice Warrior, and new Cyberman as seen in last week's Nightmare in Silver episode.

JC: Yeah. When you said 3.75 inches, I think this feels like it's been downsized. I mean come on, in the past, those 5-inch figures based on Doctor Who characters are somewhat enjoyable but for this new lineup, take a look...



(audience laughing)

JC: Yep, some downsizing occurred and feels like there's been some sort of cost-cutting issues, I can tell. However, despite those new Series 7 figures looking shoddy than I was expecting, I'm sure those 3.75-inch figures should be enough. Count on it...

RH: Yeah/ And you what else we're expecting?

JC: What is it?

RH: Seems that we're almost at the Series 7 finale of Doctor Who and oh my gosh I'm so scared! Scared to find out The Doctor's full name and that will make everyone's head explode and their pencils...

(audience laughing)

JC: What do you mean, head-exploding?

RH: As in...the Isabella Garcia-Shapiro kind of head exploding way.

(audience laughing)

JC: Hammond? Have you been watching too much P&F just so you can explain everything using those P&F references?

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh wait. Did I just said that? (laughing) Anyway, if you think you braved enough on the finale, I think we might as well forget about what just happened okay? I mean come on out here...

JC: Yeah! Come on out here! Let's survive watching the finale...if it kills me...

(audience laughing)

JC: Now, as you may now, when cars are fully loaded with some high-tech features, sometimes it's good but sometimes it's bad. What's worse is when cars starting to drive by themselves in the future and now, I just heard that a company called Visteon is working on some sort of AI interface that I find it very confusing. I don't know, it's called HABIT.

RH: HABIT?

JC: Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology. What this works is to learn and predict what in-car setting a driver would like, in advance of him even having to ask for them. Here's a clip that sums everything up...



RH: Awkward that...

JC: Yeah, this concept matches your favorite station, your climate control preferences, and so on, this so-called HABIT Cockpit Concept sure knows what you're doing inside the car. It maybe convenient but it's a bit annoying for me, I'm afraid...

(audience laughing)

JC: Now, we heard that Honda is returning to Formula One...as an engine supplier to the McLaren Formula One Team and you know what this means?

JM: Let me guess...does this going to bring back the Prost-Senna memories when this was in effect?

JC: Well, possibly but actually, this is a cause when McLaren is looking for some new engine supplier because of its lackluster performance in past races. Reason why McLaren chose Honda as their engine supplier because Honda worked on their 1.6L turbo engine for Formula One purposes in the next season and in my opinion, if a Honda engine was used in a McLaren Formula One racer...

RH: Oh wait, lemme guess... VTEC KICKED IN, YO!

(audience laughing)

JC: Huh?

RH: Oh sorry. Never mind about that but anyway, I'm glad that Honda's back to supply engines for McLaren Formula One team in the 2015 season. Let's not hope it would be somewhat putting a Saturn V rocket in a pressure cooker...

(audience laughing)

JC: Now, there's more news for bronies worldwide. This time, and I'm not making this up, there's going to be a crossover comic between Transformers and...wait for it...

RH: Wait, let me guess... MLP?

(audience laughing)

JC: (gasp) You were right! Oh no! It's boys' stuff meets girls' stuff, well forget about the whole "girls' stuff" thingy because grown men got into that. Seems that Transformers team up with My Little Pony for some comic book of some sort and what the folks are saying, the cover will see Pinkie Pie dressed as Autobot leader Optimus Prime.

(audience laughing)

JC: No! Seriously! I'm not making this up! Honest! It's going to be showcased at this year's San Diego Botcon this June 27 to 30 at the Town and Country Resort.

RH: And I think this would be a total embarrassment to the public...

(audience laughing)

JC: Thanks, Hammond. And you know what? That's the end of the news. Guess the doof is due...

(audience laughing)

Star Trek Into Darkness

Star Trek Into Darkness

Ever since J.J. Abrams rebooted the legendary Star Trek franchise in a form of a 2009 movie, trekkies from all over the world were sometimes praised upon the fresh storyline about Captain Kirk (played by Chris Pine), Mr. Spock, and the Enterprise crew in their struggles to survive each other while fulfilling the mission that puts every crew to the test. Now, four years later, Star Trek is back for a sequel that some say, it's darker than the first one. Star Trek Into Darkness maybe disappointing at first but as this film progresses, the plot gets thicker and thicker and thicker until you reach to the end of the film that you will never forget.

What's surprising about this sequel is that the crew is up against a rogue Starfleet operative named John Harrison, played by the Sherlock dude Benedict Cumberbatch, and once again, Captain Kirk and the whole Enterprise crew has been put to the test again because Harrison has the whole crew "locked-on" from his prying eyes and this would be the darkest hour for the Enterprise crew.

We really like Benedict's portrayal of being the bad guy in the movie because his dark aural feel really fits to Benedict's personality. It gives some terror and some spills that the viewers may find it questioning but about this sequel though. It's not bad on the storytelling department but sometimes, some trekkies think that they will prefer the original one better or the classic Star Trek movies, basically The Wrath of Khan because of its dark storyline that excites viewers. This one isn't but the special effects is worth the redeeming for Into Darkness.

The more you enjoy Into Darkness, the more you'll start puzzling what's what for the whole Enterprise crew and their struggling challenges to stop the enemy who was threatening to take them down. It maybe a good film to watch but it doesn't have the pantomime feeling that most trekkies would love to experience. It feels a bit cold, a bit too odd, a bit feels like it lacks originality. Despite all that criticisms I thrown at it, I really want to recommend any trekkie to enjoy this film because it may have a sluggish start but it gets progressive until the pungent aftertaste you'll expect at the end.

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (May 18, 2013)

And now, the week in review of what's what at the Korean peninsula...

May 13, 2013

- Washington's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz is taking part of a two-day joint naval exercises off South Koreas's east coast. This drill will bring climax to the joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, which recently concluded Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills earlier this year.

- South Korean president Park Geun-hye apologized her former spokesperson Yoon Chang-jung's alleged sexual abuse of an intern during her trip to the USA.

May 14, 2013

- South Korea proposed talks with North Korean on taking out finished goods and raw and subsidiary materials from the Kaesong Complex.

- Washington's top nuclear envoy Glyn Davies said the purpose on his trup was to seek ways to get North Korea back in diplomacy

- One of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's advisors made a surprise visit to North Korea. The purpose of this visit remains unknown for now...

May 15, 2013

- A spokesperson for the North's office in charge of Kaesong complex labeled Seoul's latest proposal for talks a "crafty trick", stating that Pyongyang is cautiously examining whether to resume talks with Seoul.

May 16, 2013

- South Korea on Thursday expressed regret over North Korea's negative response for the proposal of talks.

- The chief of South Korea's main opposition party expressed hope Thursday of visiting North Korea on a mission to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and revive the Kaesong complex.

May 17, 2013

- President Park Geun-Hye called for national unity, saying the country will be able to overcome any crisis if the people come together as one, Park made the remarks in a message marking Buddha's birthday, which this year fell on Friday under the lunar calendar.

- North Korea appointed a new vice defense minister, in what appeared to be an ongoing reshuffle of the communist country's military personnel. Jon Chang-bok, who was promoted to colonel general in 2010, accompanied NoKor leader Kim Jong-un on a field guidance trip to a food processing plant as the first vice minister of People's Armed Forces.

- North Korea could be packing more military might than many expected. The Korea Institute for Defense Analyses found out that North Korea has up to 200 mobile missile launchers...after analyzing data from the US Congress report on Pyongyang's military status.

"Text AP20 to 4545"

On the May 17, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Volleyball gags

- Mr. Assimo at the drive-thru...

Mr. Assimo

- This guy is fully prepared for anything while dining with a date...

- Let's talk about "gulay rights" because sometimes all vegetables had rights!

Anacleto Ng

Kiko Manalo

- Bubble Gang does Talk 'N TXT UNLITXTALL +UnliTropaCall! Text AP20 to 4545!

Bubble Gang does Talk 'N TXT UNLITXTALL!

- Boy Pickup vs. Boy Basag in Pickup Lines! The ultimate showdown! BLAGAG!

Boy Basag

- A brighter way to enjoy summer is...meeting up with the girls playing volleyball at the beach?

- Tips to enjoy yourself at the beach...

1) Chase with your own shadow

2) Play volleyball by yourself

3) Find someone who got buried in sand, place his cross near his head and pretend to mourn

4) Try walking at the sand. Because it's so hot, be sure to pour mineral water on your footprints

5) Pretend you're drowning and let a lifeguard save you

- An interview with a vampire in a late night sleepover show...

- Basketball players robbing the bank!

Chokoleit, IHAW NA!

Comedian Chokoleit was the guest of May 16, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment and during the talk, Chokoleit explained why does some of the roles from past fantaseryes are all aquatic related, how chocolate-y is his career, and something else in store for Chokoleit.

Meanwhile, Chazz is challenging everyone to complete Chazz's facial drawing...while being in a blindfold...in another round of CHAZZ DO IT. However, instead of the drawing...you'll end up kissing Chazz!

Lexus New IS (GSE30/GSE35/GSE31/AVE30)

2014 Lexus IS

If you are the sort of petrolhead who accidentally sniffed a bottle of solvent for several hours from now, chances are that the only mistake you could have done is mistaken the IS for Infinite Stratos and if by the word Stratos, you would actually mean "Lancia Stratos" but no. IS and Stratos are from a totally different league and the Lexus IS doesn't behave like the Lancia Stratos do. Sorry for this but there will be several bad puns intended because as a man who got stoked for the upcoming Infinite Stratos 2, let's look at the totally unrelated IS that doesn't have to do with it. The main instruction? Keep it simple. Okay then, one simple story coming up...

The brand new Lexus IS is designed from the ground up to become one of the most potent entry-level Lexus sedan ever made to cater the young buyers but in terms of fashion tastes it is a bit too shoddy. A bit predator-ish and when a baby sees one may end up crying uncontrollably. It's available in either a 2.5L V6 engine with the optional 4WD, a 3.5L V6 engine mated with an 8-speed SPDS transmission which is too much for a V6 car, and for the first time ever, a 2.5L 4-cylinder coupled with a 105kW electric motor and some old-fashioned nickel batteries. Yep, there's now a hybrid model on the Lexus IS and to explain why, I went to London...and sadly though I had to pay the congestion charge even though its a hybrid. Heard the news? Hybrids and so-called eco-cars are going to lose their exemption status for the London congestion charge because they're causing too much pollution. Hmmm... Really? I regret Boris Johnson for doing this...

2014 Lexus IS

Anyway, this new IS 300h uses the same engine that I get in the hybrid model of the uber-ugly latest Toyota Crown model. Running on engine alone, it generates about 177PS of power and when both the engine and the 105kW electric motor kicks in, the power output now runs at about 220PS of power. That's about 20 more than the Toyota 86's. And then there's the transmission. The hybrid model comes with the CVT gearbox which gives this car some strange feeling and the same noise you'll be hearing. No matter if its auto or in manual mode where you'll let the paddles do the talking, it's still the same feeling. It's just 6000 revs over and over. Too awkward.

So, for a car with 23.2km/L of fuel consumption, I wonder what kind of redeeming characteristics does the 300h has? To find out, I went to a certain winding road somewhere in Japan...and it's a bit too serious. It's like there's some very clever Japanese businessman underneath it that doesn't translate the word "fun" into Japanese but never mind that because the Japanese don't know what "fun" is. The only feeling I can expect is...just west of weird. It's a bit too Gravity Falls than Gravity Rush and if I was on the IS 350 model, same thing. What bothers me about the IS 350 model is that I now have an 8-speed SPDS gearbox and that's too much to have a V6 car with so many gears.

2014 Lexus IS

2014 Lexus IS interior

There was this F-Sport model applicable for all IS models which features enhanced handling and performance, Adaptive Variable Suspension and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (only on the IS350). To find out, I went to Germany...and as it turns out, it's not half bad at the bends. I kinda agree to the blokes who said that the F-Sport model's steering feel and precision mullered the Europeans but sometimes I don't believe the praise. It's still just "west of weird". It's more Mabel Pines-ish than Age Abeille. Oops...Sorry about that. Did I said this loud, am I?

Anyway, while driving isn't the least of my problems, how about the design flow? Let's go back to the topic. Well for starters, a normal IS isn't quite the better looking than the previous model and if I were to choose between this and the previous model (2005-2012), I would rather chose the previous one instead because the design is well behaved while the new model is as weird as Mabel's braces. Perhaps they should have brought the author of IS or inspire it from the Akatsubaki for looks. Same case on the F-Sport model. Well, surprisingly, I wanna go to China in search for a metaphor for this car but sadly due to diplomatic reasons, no. I can't go to China in search for a metaphor for this car because...that would be racism.

2014 Lexus IS

What about the interior? If looks can be deceiving, how come the new IS's interior kinda resemble of the Lexus LFA's? That's the idea; while the Lexus LFA is one of the best driver's car, it's sold out, so Lexus decided to stay faithful to the original IS, better known to you and me as the Toyota Altezza from the 1998 to 2004, while paying respect to the LFA. There's a similar case too, with the LFA-esque speedo on the F-Sport model, infotainment, and the identical steering wheel. And compared to the previous model, there's very little to worry about with your limbs.

To sum up then, rivals like the BMW 3-Series and the Cadillac ATS are nothing more than being a proper driver's car because they're both well mannered and well behaved to be fun-to-drive machines. The new Lexus IS though, it's just too well-focused to be a proper entry-level saloon car and it's just too well-focused to be ugly even though the Spindle Grille just makes it worse. And with the pricing of 4,200,000 Yen for the IS250 model up to 5,950,000 for the IS350 F-Sport, it's too expensive. You can't use the IS 300h to get through London for free because the eco-car exemption for the congestion charge is gone, the handling is a so-so, it's made by a company that should have known better, and as told, it's just "west of weird". Question is, am I not gonna like this more than the latest Toyota Crown?! I know that's sounds ridiculous but let's leave this case to the professionals.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, White Nova Glass Flake, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sonic Titanium, Mercury Grey Mica, Black, Starlight Black Glass Flake, Red Mica Crystal Shine, Exceed Blue Metallic, and Lapis Lazuli Mica.



Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation