Third Generation Acura MDX

2014 Acura MDX

Well, what we have here is an Acura MDX except that now, it's been regenerated to a completely different look and for the all-new, third-generation model, I can easily confuse it to its little brother, the RDX. How confusing is the new model? Well, beginning to the design department, and at first glance, it really looks like an Acura RDX enlarged by some kind of "growth ray" or something, and on the back, the rear lamps were designed to look like the ones as seen on the RLX flagship model and then there are Acura's new signature Jewel Eye headlamps which is kinda irritating for those who had Trypophobia.

If you don't know what that is, it's about fear of clustered holes. It's not classified yet but once you see one, you'll feeling nauseous, your skin crawls, your stomach turns, and you might be skipping lunch today. That's exactly what it feels like when you take a peek over the Jewel Eye headlamps. Ooohh.... I really don't want to peek over these headlamps in case I had the bad case of trypophobia!

2014 Acura MDX

Whatever that is, this new MDX is not suitable for those who had trypophobia because of its jewel eye headlamps and whoever has a fear of that kind should consider not to look at one or they'll be skipping lunch for today. However, don't be fooled thinking that this feels more of a regular crossover rather than a luxury crossover because from what Acura said, the new model is now lighter from the previous models' 4,548 - 4,588lbs to 4,025-4,103lbs (FWD) and 4,255-4,322lbs for the SH-AWD model.

Just how did Acura manage to drop such weight? Well, what Acura did to this new model is by making it rigid and using high-strength steel. Previous incarnations rely on an existing Global Light Truck Platform but for this new model, it's an all-original one and it's made from scratch rather than reusing that existing platform because of what Acura said in the development of the new MDX, they had enough of that. Yep. They have had it and decided to make the new model out of a new platform rather than relying on the old platform.

The use of a new original platform really makes the MDX, Acura's best-selling crossover in America, made even more distinguishable and when equipped with the SH-AWD system, this is even much better than the front-wheel-drive model because with the SH-AWD, it kinda feels like the old Honda Legend in so many ways except this is a crossover with the right kind of drivetrain. This is quite a recommendation here because a new MDX with the SH-AWD layout should be more forgiving and more civilized. Sadly though, there is a "but"...

The old 3.7L V6 has now been thrown away and went back to a 3.5L V6 engine but now with added gasoline direct injection. It develops 290HP of power, 10 less than the old one but because it's lighter than the old model, 0-60mph takes under seven seconds, while mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For fuel consumption, well, thanks to its weight loss, the EPA estimated MPG is now 27MPG highway on the SH-AWD model and 28MPG highway on the front-wheel-drive model.

I once checked the previous MDX a couple of years ago and when it went through our Car Town garage since last year, I carefully examined about why the MDX is all about practicality and convenience, making it a state-of-the-art Togetherness. For this new model, it still has state-of-the-art togetherness even in its newly regenerated look.

2014 Acura MDX interior

2014 Acura MDX interior

But all this newly regenerated look do come with the price, it's available for 42,290 US Dollars but when you go through the packages list, and whichever package you chose, you can expect a host of additional features to choose from such as:

• Acura Navigation System
• Voice Recognition & Song by Voice
• AcuraLink with Real-Time Traffic
• Blind Spot Information System
• Forward Collision Warning System
• Lane Departure Warning System
• ELS Studio Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio & HD Radio
• Rear-door Smart Entry
• GPS-linked Temperature Control
• 19-inch wheels & Puddle lights
• Acura DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES)
• 9-inch overhead screen
• Front center console 110-volt power outlet
• Wireless headphones and remote
• Rear-door window shades
• Tri-level heated 2nd-row outboard seats
• Ceiling-mounted center speaker
• Perforated Milano leather-trimmed 1st & 2nd row seats
• 6-level heated & ventilated front seats
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) w/ Low Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Remote Engine Start
• RES with 16.2-inch overhead screen and HDMI input
• Two ceiling-mounted center speakers
• Auto-dimming side mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors

Well, for starters, when you have over 60 grand on your wallet, you can go for the MDX with Advance and Entertainment Packages because of the dual-screen rear monitor where two screens are in one monitor rather than separated from the seats so kids can enjoy two movies in one monitor. What I don't want to expect is to have one little 10 year-older watching a kids cartoon while an unruly 18-year-old teenage girl watching a horror movie on one side. Ooohh...that's going to be a hassle and that poor kid can't concentrate watching his favorite cartoon while a super gory horror movie on one side is on the mix. He he he....

And there we are, the all-new 2014 MDX may have terribly confusing looks and the headlamps not suitable for those with Trypophobia as well as the front-wheel drive's frustration but with the reduced weight, the forgiving SH-AWD, and the dual-screen rear monitor which is part of a package that costs you under 60 grand, it's really not that bad.

Available Colors: White Diamond Pearl, Silver Moon, Graphite Luster Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Fathom Blue Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, and Dark Cherry Pearl.

Photo: Acura

"NANGINGIBABAW"

On the July 5, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang:

- "Kasalanan mo 'to" gags

- Mr. Assimo playing Pinoy Henyo

- Old man's can't sleep in his room. Perhaps, he needs a honeymoon...

- Due to new television regulations, use of bad words especially the word "ulol" is not recommended. Hmmm....

- Bubble Gang does Nescafe Classic by spoofing this commercial as RESCAFE CLASSIC. Nangingibabaw.

Bubble Gang does Nescafe

- Mga Baklang Sisiw...

- Let's give a hand...for the hand that keeps him company!

- Pickup Lines with Push Back, Dahon, and Boy Basag!

- This man gets startled easily...

- This woman's watching too much drama...and her linguistics are getting formal as we thought.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (July 6, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1993 RWB Ramintra 993R

RWB's 993 body kit provides an even more aggressive look for the 993-spec 911 coupe. Although it's even more of a monster on track days, it's still a swagger on the streets. For optional extras, the 993R from RWB includes a RWB suspension package courtesy of KW and Aragosta, a CHAMPION WING, Hakama side big rockers, fender wing, canard, and a reflector.

1993 RWB Ramintra 993R

1958 Subaru 360

Fuji Heavy Industries used to make aircraft out of their Nakajima Aircraft Company but they decided to join the automotive industry starting with their first ever Subaru ever made, the 360. Powered by the 356cc engine, which was the standard kei car displacement in the 50's, that produces about 16HP of power and it was positioned at the back.

1958 Subaru 360

1960 Fiat Nuova 500 D

The D model of the Nuova 500 looks more similar to the original Nuova but it was powered by a 499cc engine developing 17hp of power and it comes with the roof where in the standard D model, the roof doesn't fold back as far as the roof while it has an optional "transformable" roof on the Nuova. Surprisingly, it comes with suicide doors for added uniqueness.

1960 Fiat Nuova 500 D

The final BMW M3 E92 Coupe...

The final M3 E92

July 2013 marks the end of the production of the BMW M3 E92 Coupe and yes, this is the last ever M3 coupe they'll ever made and this is the last ever M model to be naturally aspirated. Yes, this is the last M3 Coupe they'll ever made ever since the announcement that BMW's new naming scheme will had sedans bearing odd numbers while 2-door coupes bearing even numbers.

Yes, there will be a new M3 next year except now, it's a 4-door model based on the F30 3-Series while the replacement for this will be based on the all new 4-Series Coupe and they'll come sometime in the not too distant future.

A quick history lesson about the M3 Coupes:

E30

The story of the BMW M3 begins in the E30 model. The first BMW M3 comes with the S14B23 2.3L engine, which was based on various BMW parts: basic block layout from the M10 4-cylinder (found in the 2002 and 320 series) overbored and reinforced to similar specifications of the BMW M88 inline-6.


Richard Hammond drove this as well as the E34 M5 while James May is in the BMW M1 in Season 3 Episode 2 of Top Gear when they were at the Isle of Man.

E36

Based on the E36 3-Series model, this M3 comes with a 3.0L straight-6 engine that generates 280HP of power. During its lifespan, this model spawned not just a coupe but a cabriolet and a 4-door saloon respectively and when production of this generation ended in 1999, 46,525 coupés, 12,114 Cabriolets and 12,603 saloons were produced.

Most of the E36 M3 models were made at BMW's Regensburg plant while detuned right hand drive models where assembled in Pretoria, South Africa.

There were six special-edition models of the E36 M3 produced: the M3 Euro-Spec (Canadian Edition), M3 LTW, M3 GT, M3 GT-R, M3-R, and the Imola Individual (often referred to as the GT2) (the last of the E36s). There's also an M3 Anniversary Edition for the Australian market in 1999.


Car & Driver said that the E36 M3 is one of the best handling cars of the 90's because of its benign handling and balance and popular among circuit racers and track enthusiasts.

E46

Launched in 2000, the E46 M3 comes with the 3.2L DOHC straight-6 engine and it was based on the E46 3-Series that underwent a full model change in 1998. This 3.2L I6 engine churns out 338HP of power and 269ft-lb of torque. Initially, this generation was mated with a Getrag 6-speed MT but later, BMW added an SMG II, the company's double clutch semi-automatic transmission.


"The suspension must always be faster than the engine", this is the motto BMW followed in developing the E46 M3 and the suspension was returned to compensate for the added power of the M3.

E92

The E92 M3 is measured about 4620mm long, 1805mm wide and 1425mm high, and rode on a 2760mm wheelbase. For the E92 M3, there was an unsuspecting twist because the engine that powers it was a 4.0L V8 engine that develops 414HP of power. Also, BMW managed to trim down the M3's weight a little by installing new components such as a high-strength carbon fiber roof, and aluminum for the suspension parts, resulting to a lean 1630kg of weight.

The E92 M3 comes with a 7-speed M DCT drive logic, Variable M differential lock, and M dynamic mode. The M Drive in the dynamic mode is a device that provides combined control of suspension, dampers, DSC, Traction Control, engine output, and power steering response.

In Series 10 finale of Top Gear, Richard Hammond drove the M3 E92 while Jeremy Clarkson's in the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and James May's in an Audi RS4 at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. Judging to the point that the M3 is quicker than the C63 and the RS4 when handed to the Stig round the Ascari track, the E92 M3 exceeded the danger limit of Jeremy Clarkson's COCK-O-METER. At the end of Series 10, when presenters swapped cars, Jeremy Clarkson dressed himself as a typical BMW driver before driving Hammond's M3.

In Series 11 opener of Top Gear, after the One Gallon Mile Race, which proven to be a stupid idea, Jeremy Clarkson drives the BMW M3 against the Toyota Prius, 10 laps at the Top Gear Test Track, but instead of racing, Jeremy figures out the M3's fuel consumption. After 10 laps, the Toyota Prius did 17.2MPG while the M3 did 19.4MPG.


In Jeremy Clarkson's 2009 DVD, Duel, the E92 M3 was known to be one of the best drifting cars but it failed at the Apple at the Apex, Apple at the Exit test. This is the car when Clarkson motivates Anthony Davidson to drift...

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/07/last-bmw-m3-coupe-rolls-off-production.html

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (July 6, 2013)

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

July 1, 2013

- In Brunei, the venue of this year's ASEAN Regional Forum, China says the now-stalled six-party denuclearization talks - involving the US, China, Japan, Russian, North Korea, and South Korea, are important to create a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

- South Korean foreign minister Yoon Byung-sae held his first one-on-one talks with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, on the sidelines of this year's ASEAN Regional Forum.

July 2, 2013

- In Brunei, the venue of this year's ASEAN Regional Forum, a North Korean representative spoke up about his nation's nuclear program.

- North Korea is pushing ahead with its diplomatic efforts to keep China and Russia, its allies, on its side following the bilateral summit between President Park and Chinese president Xi Jinping last week.

July 3, 2013

-South Korea and North Korea are back on its hotline channels.

- One day after a landmark vote that gave lawmakers the right to review a full transcript of the 2007 inter-Korean summit, lawmakers begun the local procedures.

July 4, 2013

- South and North Korea agreed to hold working-level talks this weekend on reopening the Kaesong complex that was suspended for nearly three months.

- North Korea's nuclear issue was at the top of the agenda during the 2-plus-2 talks between South Korea and Australia

July 5, 2013

- South Korea's ruling and opposition parties expressed their hopes that both North and South Korea would reach an agreement at their weekend working-level talks to repoen the shuttered Kaesong complex in North Korea.

- South Korean president Park Geun-hye's plan for regional development is finally picking up steam. More than 160 project will be implemented to fulfill her 106 detailed pledges for 15 regional districts in Korea.

Despicable Me 2

Anyway, moving because as I'm sure you know, the whole family's gone yellow fever over Gru's minions because the hit 2010 animated cartoon film, Desipcable Me, returns but is it any better than the previous installment? It's just one of the things that make me go hmmm...

Despicable Me 2

Gru and his adorable but super funny minions are back and so are the three orphaned girls he's taking care of. In the first installment, Despicable Me is the brainchild of the then-new animation studio Illumination Entertainment which situates it in a world where villainy is the norm. It centers more on aged baddie named Gru (played by former The Office lead actor Steve Carell), who wants to steal the moon in order to get his popularity back from his rival villain but when the three orphaned girls showed up, Gru's life never been more harder than imagined.

Today, we're not talking about the first one. Let's talk about the sequel every kid in the block's talking about and while some say that the sequel's going to be better than the first one, I'm not sure what it is. Anyway, for the sequel, Gru, a former super villain, tries to live a normal life with his three little girls while starting his new business selling jams and jellies when suddenly, the Anti-Villain League recruits Gru for a mission: to take down a new enemy threatened for world domination. For a now-hero Gru, he's not alone because he's been paired up with an agent from the Anti-Villain League named Lucy Wilde (played by Kristen Wiig from Bridesmaids).

Now, about that new character Lucy. I'm kinda confused about her...probably because of her ginger hair and...um..hey! Am I...the only one who thinks that Lucy's hairstyle from Despicable Me 2 kinda look like Donna Noble's from The Unicorn and the Wasp episode of Doctor Who?

Anyway, never mind about that but about that film. Although it is a sequel that picks up where the original one lefts off, it's still lack more of the fancies when it comes to the storyline. It feels a bit mediocre than being too despicable for a sequel like that. It doesn't feel more of a sequel but rather like mixing up both the right and wrong ingredients which sometimes, it's tasty while sometimes isn't. No offence but I think the storyline will get me bored right until you get to the best parts and when the best parts kicks in, that's when the true "Despicable Me" science kicks in but that doesn't last for long.

But still, even though it feels a bit too "regular" for a sequel of a 2010 animated family fun film, it's still packs the same goodness from the first part. I still have Gru, the three little girls, and all of the minions that is oh so fun and cute, you just really wish you wanna spend time with those cute, yellowy, minions! HOW CUTE! I just wanna hug one!

So, there we are. Despicable Me 2. Even though the storyline lacks something from the original, it's still one of the best family fun films you and your family can enjoy for the whole summer. "When the world needed a hero, they called a villain." Enjoy it while you can!

Nash Aguas, IHAW NA!

Former bulilit and now one of the new cast of Luv U, Nash Aguas, is the guest of the day on the July 4, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment. Getting to know more about Nash Aguas never gets too old for this...

Meanwhile, more funny pics in ETO NA POST such as a taxi driven by aswang, oversighted taxi, Johnny Deep, ALINDOG funeral service, and a stamp of former president Arroyo's too short for her head.