BBC Top Gear Season 20 announcement

Top Gear Series 20

Good news! After months of waiting, BBC's hit car variety show, Top Gear, returns for its 20th season this June 30 on BBC Two and for the first time, BBC Two HD! So what can you expect for the boys this summer? Here are a couple of hints:

- The boys are comparing supercar convertibles in Spain

- Richard Hammond and his touring car buddies are figuring out which country has the best taxi

- BAC Mono Power Test

- A race against a cup yacht

- A tale of two SLS AMG models - one's Black and one's Electric

- Jeremy and James are investigating crossovers

- The boys are redefining a hovercraft

- Another triple hot hatch test including the all new Renault Clio/Lutecia RS EDC

- Jeremy drives a Jaguar F-Type

- Ferrari F12berlinetta makes an appearance

- and finally...a brand new reasonably priced car! What could that be? Find out soon...

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/Top-Gear-TV-is-back-2013-06-13

Top Gear returns on BBC Two this June 30. Coming soon in BBC America, BBC Knowledge, BBC Entertainment, and other networks whereas Top Gear aired.

Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

Suzuki's answer to the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, called the Alto Lapin Chocolat, might just be the cutest car on the block even though both of these rivals share the same chocolate-y names. Hmmm...Cocoa and Chocolat...sounds so sweet but in terms of the rivalry between Daihatsu and Suzuki, they're bitter enemies, and the all-new Chocolat, which is the posh version of the second-generation Alto Lapin cute compact car targeted for Japanese women in their 20's, it promises to offer anything that the Cocoa can't.

Starting with the design that was made to captivate many young Japanese women. While Suzuki tries to make the new version of the Lapin even cuter than the normal Lapin, think of it as Suzuki trying to inject too much "cutonium" into the normal Lapin's design. Sadly for the readers, if you don't know what "cutonium" really is...I picked that word from a Phineas and Ferb episode titled "Meapless in Seattle" but forget about that. What's best to describe the new Chocolat is....well, it's about as cute as the host of a noontime talk show goes by the name of Ryzza. Cute as Ryzza. That's what that is.

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat interior

The Chocolat adds poshness to the familiar Lapin interior and getting in here feels like Peppermint Butler fixed it up for you before you set off. He he he...Peps. You really got me now but anyway, this isn't all Peppermint Butlers and Banana Guards on the Chocolat because on the more expensive versions, you'll get the smartphone-integrated navigation system as applied from the Spacia and then the familiar Lapin speedo where there's some cute bunny animation flashing up. Lovely...

2014 Suzuki Alto Lapin Chocolat

Unlike the new Wagon R or the Spacia, the new Chocolat, like the normal Lapin, didn't rely on the ENE-CHARGE system because some say, that could just spoil its cute looks. Instead, Suzuki's gone old-fashioned by adding Idling Stop on the Lapin Chocolat's K6A engine, which seems to be outdated because most Suzuki kei cars are now relying on the R06A engine since the current MR Wagon. Anyway, with the Idling Stop added, Suzuki promises that the Chocolat has a fuel economy of 26.0kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards, which theoretically, is the same as the Mira Cocoa's! However, with the 4WD powertrain, fuel economy is 25.2kmpl, which is .4kmpl less than the Cocoa's 4WD model.

As for the pricing, the all-new Lapin Chocolat starts at 1,291,500 Japanese Yen, which is about a hundred thousand more than the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa and more annoyingly, more pricey than the Suzuki MR Wagon. That's a small price to pay for a car that was made to captivate young women who think that the Mira Cocoa's not cute enough for them...

But still, the posh Chocolat from Suzuki is more than enough to eat the Mira Cocoa for breakfast and I had to say that such cute looks and posh interior feels like it's been made in Candy Kingdom or Candied Island with tender loving care. Wait, Candied Island? Oh dear...Why did I even have the urge to mention it?

Available colors: Pearl White, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Cassis Pink Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Champagne Pink Pearl Metallic, Milk Tea Beige Metallic, Aromatic Aqua Metallic, and Air Blue Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

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

(cheers and applause)

RH: Man, that was epic! So freaking close!

JC: I know! Too darn close! The folks at Miami Heat prevented the Spurs from taking home the trophy and advance to the final game! I mean, if it weren't for the Heat's aggressive measures, the Spurs would have mullered them for the crown.

RH: That's definitely incredible, Jeremy! I thought the Heat's going to lose but the OVERTIME really gave them 5 minutes of fame and anger...

(audience laughing)

RH: ...until the three-point gap between them really made Miami Heat won Game 6 and advance to the Final Game of the 2013 NBA Finals! So what do you say? Since both Heat and Spurs are going on the final game of the championship, who will prevail?

JC: Uhhhh....

(audience laughing)

JM: Let's remember, the Spurs took the odds while the Heat made it even so it's 3-3 for them. Who will win the final game?

JC: Well, tell you what? We're going to find out at the conclusion of the 2013 NBA Finals this Thursday (Friday for Asian countries) and find out okay? Anyway, let's do the news!

RH: And big news today because, hey James, you remember driving the new Aston Martin Vanquish in the USA a couple of months ago, right?

JM: Yeah, and this is the car that sustain the least number of hits in a game of aerial laser tag at Willow Springs and I arrived 2nd at the border town of Calexico, whereas you've arrived last and drove a Mastretta sports car in Mexico.

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, Aston Martin launched a new convertible version of the Vanquish, called the Vanquish Volante. Here it is...

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

(ooohhh)

RH: Anyway, it has the same features as the Vanquish that James May drove, except now, the roof is off and it weighs 9kg more than the coupe model. Still has the same V12 engine as the coupe model, don't forget it.

JC: I think this is even more sexier and even more dramatic than its hardtop sister and I had to say, it's as beautiful as Karen Gillan...

(audience laughing)

JM: Clarkson! Would you please knock it off?

JC: Sorry about that. I can't help myself contemplating about this beautiful machine, which is somewhat the open-top version of the car you just drove a couple of months ago.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, Fiat just launched a 7-seater version of the 500L, called the Living. Here it is...

2014 Fiat 500L Living

(audience laughing)

JC: Care to look at it? Care to see what that is? What this is is nothing more of an enlarged 500 now even larger and even more uglier. As uglier as your Fiat Panda...

(audience laughing)

RH: Indeed it is! It looks annoyingly grotesque! I bet James May would swap his Panda for that one. He he he...

JC: Hey James! This car is even bigger than your worthless Panda! Want?

JM: No...

(audience laughing)

JM: Would you please stop annoying me with that kind of...nonsense?

JC: Okay but there's something worse than a Fiat 500L Living. Something I can't describe...Hmmm...Has anyone saw yesterday's Adventure Time?

(audience murmuring)

JC: Now, what I don't really understand that Adventure Time's slowly turning into Gravity Falls, probably because...um...

RH: Oh wait! Lemme guess... So there was a character in Gravity Falls who sounded like BMO and then there's a character in Adventure Time who sounded like Mabel Pines. Would that be...criss-cross?

(audience laughing)

JC: Criss cross, Hammond! Criss cross! Here's the problem because when they saw a character from Gravity Falls who was one of Mabel's friends...

JM: Was it the Asian one?

(audience laughing)

JC: James! Stop it! This is too sensitive. Anyway, the main problem is...one of Mabel's friends could be BMO. It goes like "HEY! THERE'S A BMO IN GRAVITY FALLS!"

(audience laughing)

RH: BMO?! In Gravity Falls? More like BMO in human form wearing a striped jumper! Ha ha ha!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, Candy's the name. Candy was one of Mabel's friends who sounded like BMO, which is somewhat algebraic for fans many. Now, onto Adventure Time. There was this character named Jake Jr.

RH: Jake Jr.? You mean, Jake Jr.?

JC: Jake Jr. She's one of Jake and Lady Rainicorn's kids first appeared in an episode called "Jake the dad" but she aged faster.

Jake Jr.

JC: Anyway, there was this episode where Jake Jr. was kidnapped by an unknown criminal and then Jake the Dog assembled his old crew to steal something from the candy kingdom but then his old crew tricked him and turns out Jake Jr. is behind this. One thing I don't understand is..."Hey! Does this voice sound familiar from Jake Jr.'s"? Oh wait! I know who she is!!!

RH: Who was she?

JC: It's MABEL PINES from GRAVITY FALLS!

(audience laughing hysterically)

JC: Mabel's the Jake Jr.!

RH: No freaking way! It's a criss cross! Gravity Falls is turning into Adventure Time with BMO around and Adventure Time's turning into Gravity Falls with Mabel! Criss-cross...

(audience laughing)

JC: There you go folks. Top Gear Top Tip: BMO turns Gravity Falls into Adventure Time, Mabel turns Adventure Time into Gravity Falls. Criss-cross.

(audience laughing)

JC: Who wouldn't taught of that?! He he he... Oh my goodness. Are we all succumbed to some kind of Smile Dip and that's what happened? Mabel ended up being Jake Jr. in Adventure Time? Weeeeeee.........

(audience laughing)

(splash!)

JC: OW! ####!

(audience laughing)

JM: Knock it off, Clarkson. You're just getting high after thinking that Mabel turning Adventure Time into Gravity Falls and BMO turning Gravity Falls into Adventure Time.

JC: Okay okay okay....I had enough of the whole Gravity Falls Adventure Time malarkey. Anyway, I just saw a rather interesting article from TV5's Word of the Lourd about why Candy Crush saga is life-ruingly addictive than prohibited drugs and that begs us a question...why?

(audience laughing)

JC: Judging the fact that Candy Crush is 2013's hit social puzzle game that outrun Farmville as one of the hit Facebook games with over 45.6 million monthly users and one of the highest grossing apps at the app store, why would something so colorful and boring would be even better than the big games. Besides, this is nothing more of a tic-tac-toe with a bit more fanciness on it.

(audience laughing)

RH: Hey, I thought you're quitting on this super boring game?

JC: I know. I quit playing that game but there's so much skepticism about the whole Candy Crush addiction. Something that I can't truly understand...I mean the whole addiction story is pretty much with us from the past and the present ever since the book of Genesis where drugs hadn't been invented yet.

(audience laughing)

JC: Thing is though, addiction isn't just limited to drugs. It's also everywhere. Everything around you can be addictive and addiction ruins your life.

RH: Uh...what about car addicts? Do cars ruin their lives?

(audience laughing)

JC: Possibly... But there's a thing to avoid addiction and that's moderation. With great addiction comes great responsibility, like the ads that says "Drink Responsively" at the end...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news!

What's in our Car Town garage today? (June 19, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV

The LP670-4 SV served as the explosive "grand finale" of the Lamborghini Murcielago flagship supercar after its decade-long tenure since its 2001 debut. For this "finale", the 6.5L V12 engine now churns out 670HP of power transmitted through all four wheels while its stripped-out interior and enhanced aerodynamics makes it for weight loss. In Top Gear, Richard Hammond did a drag race against the McLaren SLR 722 and it lost, in the streets of Abu Dhabi. At the Top Gear Test Track, the 1:19 lap time makes it as fast as the Enzo Ferrari!

2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV

Shaw's Flip Car

In Fast and Furious 6, the Flip Car is far out one of the deadliest rides ever made for Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans) and his ragtag group of criminals. Just one mistake when you're facing against the Flip Car, and you're in for some serious trouble when you got flipped by its contraption powerful enough to flip multiple police cars mercilessly! Behind the scenes, this weapon of mass destruction is based on a Formula One car, its V8 engine produces over 500HP of power, and has a rear-wheel steer. This original machine really pushes the FnF franchise to a whole new level.

Shaw's Flip Car

2007 Volvo C30

Known to be one of the most interesting small hatchbacks in the market, the C30 offers a perfect balance of style and performance in a 3-door packaging that customers can enjoy. It draws inspiration from the 2001 SCC (Safety Concept Car) Concept which, in other stories, were designed entirely by women involved in Volvo. For this model, this was made for almost everybody who want a stylish hatchback that offers everything they want from a premium car without paying a premium pricing.

2007 Volvo C30

Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Back in February, Ssangyong launched the Korando Turismo MPV which served as the replacement to the world's ugliest van of all time, the Rodius, and last time, I said that that it was too horrid in the driver's eyes and even horrid for those who owned one. Despite its terrible ugliness to this new model, it was the mix of interior space, practicality, and versatility that tempt buyers to buy one and ignore its horrid styling because the only reason why they bought one in the first place is that they need some people carriers to carry the whole family.

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau

Now, Ssangyong launched a luxurious variant of the Korando Turismo called the Chateau and what it is, which is a limousine version of the said model. Now, I know what you're thinking the word "limo" is applied only on stretched versions of 4-door saloons but this word applies to almost anything and the Chateau grade of the Korando Turismo fits the category. At first glance, it looks the same as the Korando Turismo, retaining the same horrid look that some say it's less horrid than the Rodius it replaces, except now has a high roof that looks like it's made for camping stuff. However, this car isn't made for camping, and what to expect from the high roof on it that looks like a THULE?

2014 Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau interior

Well, the reason why the Chateau has a high roof on the top is that it was accommodated by a well-tailored interior fit for a politician, even for Park Geun-Hye herself. This luxurious interior layout was accompanied by curtains, a refrigerator where to store your refreshments, a rear entertainment system (accompanied by a 20-inch monitor and JBL audio system) for the selfies who want to watch some movies on the go, stuff where you'll hang your clothes, and so much more concessions of comfort, fit for a Korean politician or a celeb alike. For the first time, this is the kind of Ssangyong built for those who want to be chauffeured but the Chairman W is not enough for them.

The Chateau, like the standard Korando Turismo, comes with the e-XDi200 diesel engine which produces 155PS of power while mated with a 5-speed auto and POWER 4WD. Fuel economy combined is 10.5km/L and it's available only in Fine Silver exterior color.

With prices starting at 46,900,000 Korean Won, that is somewhat much cheaper to buy than ultra-expensive Japanese MPVs such as the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand and it's funny you should ask because the Ssangyong Korando Turismo Chateau is somewhat targeted against the Hyundai Grand Starex Limousine, which is a special vehicle model available by request.

Photo: Ssangyong Motor Company 

Let's Do The News! (June 17, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JC: So, there we go, folks. San Antonio Spurs took over Game 5, as expected, in the score of 114-104 versus Miami Heat so...any analysis post-game?

RH: Well, I can't believe that the Spurs went back fighting even without their ace player, Parker, and it's all because every Heat player is fell onto the whistle trap that keeps the Spurs scoring and scoring and three pointing and scoring and scoring and scoring...

(audience laughing)

RH:...goes on and on and on until the end of the game! Well, honestly, thanks to the double by Manu Ginobili and the accurate shots by Danny Green, there's no stopping for Spurs now. The Heat's aren't very pleased...

(audience laughing)

JC: Hmmm...How to put it this way? Oh yeah! CURSE YOU GINOBILI!!!!

(audience laughing)

RH: Okay, okay, that's enough now.

JC: Anyway, with Spurs won Game 5 for now, Game 6 is on Tuesday (Wednesday for Asian countries). Will Spurs win the championship or will Heat try to make it even? Let's just wait...

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, let's do the news folks and oh! There's a brand new BMW coming and it's called the 4-Series. Here it is...

2014 BMW 4-Series

JM: Replacement of the 3-Series Coupe, based on the current 3-Series, and it's available only in three different engines by launch such as the turbocharged 3.0-litre six cylinder in the 435i (0-62mph in 5.4s), a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot in the 428i (0-62mph in 5.9s) and a 2.0-litre diesel in the 420d (0-62mph in 75s, 60.1mpg). 6-speed manual standard while 8-speed auto an optional feature.

JC: I think it looks rather magnificent. It's like a 6-series got shrunken down and gave some 3-Series face on it. Now what bothers me that, is this really the replacement to the outgoing 3-Series Coupe?

JM: Yes. Absolutely. It's now under a new naming structure where odd numbers are for sedans and even numbers are for coupes, which is a weird approach for BMW to follow in the times.

JC: Anyway, yesterday was Father's Day and I was guessing everyone around here are greeting their dads with a simple "Happy Father's Day" greeting, treating dads some big treats such as dining in the restaurant, giving them gifts, so on, so forth. Well, Father's Day is cool if you're doing it right but for some, they put Father's Day in the other way around...

RH: Which is...dull?

(audience laughing)

JC: Not quite, pal. Particularly, the anime otaku selfies...

(audience laughing)

RH: Wha....?!!!

JC: Yeah. Anime is for selfies and the words "Father's Day" and "anime" doesn't count. "Father's Day" in western cartoons, live actions sitcoms, dramas, or whatever forms of media would work but in the world of Japanese anime, this is not totally related because anime's always for selfies...

(audience laughing)

JM: Selfies? Ahem...in the past, do you saw an anime titled "Listen to me girls, I'm your father!" a couple of years ago? This quite fits in the category of when "Father's Day" and "anime" does make sense...

(audience laughing)

JC: JAMES!!!!

JM: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just remembering things but still it's worth looking back on an anime about a college student who's now in custody of three nieces in place of his sister and her husband. Come on. You got to see it for a while...

JC: James. Father's day was so yesterday and if you want me to watch your lame stuff, it would be on my queuing list.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, ever since a chrome-wrapped Lotus Evora appeared in THE HOST, the movie adaptation of the novel made by the author behind the Twilight saga, it seems that Lotus Cars are pushing too hard to get their products on the silver screen. But now, there's another Lotus going to feature in another movie and this time...take a look...

Exige S in RED 2

JM: That's a...Lotus Exige S with a supercharged V6 in middle...

JC: That's right and it's going to be in RED 2, the sequel to the 2010 action comedy where retired agents are wrecking havoc. It's the one with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Dame Helen Mirren. Also joining were Mary Louise Parker, Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, and our classic Hannibal Lecter, Sir Anthony Hopkins. Anyway, while we're waiting to see this one in the coming months, I have to say that the Exige S is a fantastic car. A V6 lightweight Brit is worth a killing to the old Porsche GT3 RS and there's some great news for Japanese Lotus customers.

JM: Wait, what?

JC: Originally, Japanese Lotus distributor, LCI Limited, would launch the Exige S V6 in the middle of 2012 Japan Lotus Day but financial reasons cancelled its Japan premiere, thus leaving Japanese consumers out in the cold right now but...LCI Limited announced that they will start selling the Exige S (V6) this late July following with a debut fair at the Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, by July 27 to  August 11, 2013.

JM: Okay, that sounds nice but...does the V6-powered Exige deserves the shot to be in Gran Turismo 6 soon?

JC: No....

(audience laughing)

JC: Obviously because Gran Turismo 6 will be lacking the latest and the hottest exotics, you might as well pray that it will show up on Xbox One's Forza Motorsport 5 soon.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, the nuclear-fueled Iran now has a new president.

(oohh)

JM: Really? Who?

JC: Says here it's Hassan Rohani and he won Iran's presidential election, declaring him as the new leader and there has been some mixed reaction about Iran's new leader. Some are positive while some are negative and we prefer the negative comments because...

JM: Up until now, you still hate Iran because of its nuclear-fueled fury and as part of the State Sponsors of Terrorism just like Cuba and Syria?

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, possibly because Iran is kinda like North Korea because their nuclear power is their source of their growth but thing is though...Iranians like Top Gear.

(audience laughing)

JM: Hmmm?

JC: True. There are so many petrolheads in Iran right now who are already getting hooked on our show and every time when it gets replaced by something something American, the Iranian men hated it and when Top Gear's on, the Iranian men are getting hooked on it, especially when this show's been dubbed in Farsi language, which is the language of Iranians.

JM: Wow...

(audience laughing)

JM: No wonder why Iranians love Top Gear a lot...

RH: Yeah, probably because of our crude adult humor Iranian grown men love...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news...

Super GT 2013 Round 3 Sepang

In case you missed yesterday's Round 3 of the 2013 season of the Super GT, held at Sepang, Malaysia, here's a quick sum up on who just made it...

GT500 Class:

3rd place - #100 RAYBRIG HSV-010 driven by Takuya Izawa and Takashi Kogure

2nd place - #39 DENSO KOBELCO SC430 driven by Juichi Wakisaka and Hiroaki Ishiura

WINNER - #12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R driven by Tsugio Matsuda and J.P.Lima De Oliveira


GT300 Class:

3rd place - #11 GAINER DIXCEL SLS driven by Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Bjorn Wirdheim

2nd place - #16 MUGEN CR-Z GT driven by Hideki Mutoh and Yuhki Nakayama

WINNER - #55 ARTA CR-Z GT driven by Shinichi Takagi by Takashi Kobayashi


NEXT RACE: Sugo this July 27-28