Forza Motorsport 4: The first Type R Honda

Memories of Integra Type R

The Honda Integra Type R, if my memory serves me correctly, was the first ever front-wheel drive Type R model ever made. When it comes to the word "Type R", you know what that means. Yep, it's total noise pollution to the suburbs and speedo boys from around the world are indulged in such a phenomenon that caused a stir in the neighborhood. Hondas are like...gangsters or criminals in the past because when night falls, the noise from every souped-up Hondas' exhausts kicks in and it's...TOTAL NOISE POLLUTION. He he he...When a Honda gets tuned by a speedo boy, that's what this kind of carnage gets. He he he...

Anyway, the Integra Type R, I know this is a memorable car but let's remember, this is the car that gave a spin to the Type R moniker. Let's start with the DC2 model, the first of its kind...

The first of its kind...

The Honda Type R roots pay tribute to their first ever winning F1 car and essentially high-performance versions of their respective models. Type R models have unique features such as a red Honda badge, improved VTEC engine, weight loss, and special Championship White paint.

The Integra Type R, based on the facelifted DC2 model, was first introduced in Japan in 1995. The Integra Type R is available in either a 4-door saloon or a 3-door liftback. The 1.8L VTEC engine was uprated to 200PS of power and it was equipped with a 5-speed manual and Helical LSD.

Basically, Integra Type R models are made for homologation purposes to meet FIA certifications to compete in N-series and World Cup racing. Little known fact that for each model sold, Honda lost money even though extra dealer markups sometimes made for excessive dealer profit.

Start the clock...

The DC2 Integra Type R did it in 1:32.562...

Okay, so what about the Acura equivalent?

Japanese Type R vs. American Type R.

For 2000, the Type R model was joined in the Acura Integra lineup and for this Acura version of the Integra Type R, it has the same 1.8L engine as expected from the JDM Honda Integra Type R but the power output is lowered by 195HP of power and 130lb-ft of torque but on that time, it was one of the most powerful 4-cylinder powerplants available in America.

For the Type R model, the ride height has been lowered and features a revised shocks, springs and sway bars for sharper handling. To reduce weight, the Type R provided less sound insulation, a 10% thinner windscreen, and lightweight wheels.

During its 4-year production run, about 3,822 Type R models were sold in North America.

Start the clock!

...the Acura Integra Type R lapped round the track in 1:32.501...That's about almost as similar as the JDM DC2 Type R, even though the Acura Integra Type R has less power and torque.

And now...the last Integra Type R ever made...the DC5! Imagine!

Here comes the DC5!

Shortly after the Honda Integra gained a full model change in summer 2001, the high-performance Integra Type R model was also offered and for the DC5 model, the 1.8L engine from the old model was replaced with the K20A 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder engine capable of delivering 220HP of power.

Aside from its new engine, the DC5 Type R features Recaro seats, four-piston Brembo front brakes, a close ratio six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and a stiffer suspension.

In the spring of 2006, Honda announced the discontinuation of the Integra because of the diminishing coupe market but because of customer feedback, Honda will keep producing the car until July 2006 and produce 150 more Integras.

Start the clock!

The DC5 Type R Integra did it in 1:29.190, and thanks to its improved power from its 2.0L engine, that's worth the capability even though the DC5's heavier than the DC2 Integra.

It was worth a shot giving a tribute to the first front-wheel drive Type R in Honda history and even though the Integra's no longer with us since its discontinuation in 2006, it's still a Speedo Boy's favorite next to the speedo boy favorite...the Honda Civic. Sure, the Integra's dead, the Civic's dead, the Type R's dead. Short story...

Maricar Reyes, IHAW NA!

Maricar Reyes, actress and now being married to Richard Poon, is the guest of the day on the July 24, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment. Aside from being an actress and a model, Maricar Reyes is also a general practitioner, which seems to be a somewhat a family doctor...we think.

Meanwhile, a sketch that goes...with a supermarket with very slow cashiers...

Kia The New Sportage R

It's been three years since Kia's new generation Sportage, now called Sportage R, came out in the South Korean market and judging by the looks of it, I think this is a bit more better looking than its compatriot, the Hyundai Tucson iX. Anyway, while the Hyundai Tucson iX gained a facelift a couple of months ago, seems that the Sportage R is follow suit for its minor change.

Since there's little about the latest "minor change" for The New Sportage R, let's do a 47 second science. Ahem...47 second science. Big science questions answered in bite-sized chunks.

Question...for the 2014 model year, what's new for The New Sportage R? Let's find out what's new for this minor change in less than 47 seconds. Remember, this is a 47-second science experiment to explain what I'm on about with this minor change.

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

2014 Kia The New Sportage R interior

With my 47-second science begins, let's begin. Anyway, for the 2014 model year, The New Sportage R gained a refreshed version of the signature Tiger Nose grille as well as a newly redesigned fog lamps.

At the back, it has this bland-looking LED rear combination lamp which seems to be rather cheap and disapproving. I think I rather look at the pre-facelift model's rear lamps rather than this. On the side view, you can expect an all new 18-inch wheels that stays true to its refreshed look except it isn't a bit too showy most of the time.

On the interior, there are a little changes occurred such as a new instrumental cluster which has two-circles rather than the Abarth-like three meters from the pre-facelift model. What's also new is the "mood lamp" as you can find one in the front cupholders. Then, there's a two-way airconditioner made possible for the rear seats and then, the seats are now ventilated, sure enough to keep those seats cool down. It doesn't sounds more of a change to me but apparently, there's something new to its software.

I'm talking about UVO, Kia's telematics system first applied from last year's K9 flagship sedan. The 2014 Sportage R now has one and with UVO, you can even start the engine or open/close its doors using your smartphone. Theft-deterrent? UVO has a knack for that.

The Sportage R has two engine types available; a CRDi-VGT R2.0 diesel engine developing 184PS of power and a high-performance 2.0L T-GDi engine capable of producing 261PS of power. New for the Sportage R is the Flex Steer system as seen on the present-generation Hyundai i30, which allows the driver to change its handling characteristics to three different modes; ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT.

The new Sportage R from Kia Motors starts at 20,500,000 South Korean Won. For accessory purposes, a TUON interior kit costs 230,000 Won which comes with an LED door scuff plate and sports pedals while the TUON body kit costs 520,000 Won.

47-second science with The Sportage R. Big minor change questions answered in bite-sized chunks...

Photo: Kia Motors.

Let's Do The News! (July 23, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and guys, as we all now, San Diego Comic Con was finished yesterday so...um...final thoughts?

JC: Yeah. We all got some final thoughts about it because that was probably one of the best Comic-Con experience ever done and hey, this is Matt Smith's final appearance in this year's SDCC as The Doctor before his regeneration this Christmas Day.

RH: Yeah and I just heard that the Daleks are coming back for the 50th Anniversary special and you know what that means?

JM: Uhh...Trouble?

(audience laughing)

RH: Trouble? Possibly but I was thinking that it's going to be the best anniversary special in the history of Doctor Who. Since Daleks are iconic baddies, their appearance for the 50th anniversary special pays a big dividends. Hmmm....Clara never saw a Dalek before, right?

JC: Uh...Ahem...

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh yeah. Sorry about that. There was the episode with Oswin on it...Sorry...

JC: Anyway, what bothers me that former Doctor Who companion, Karen Gillan...shaved her hair off! As in...Karen Gillan's a baldie!

(audience laughing)

JC: Take a look...

Karen Gillan at SDCC 2013

(audience laughing)

RH: OH MY GLOB! LIKE THE DEVIL!!!

JM: (laughing)

JC: See? What just happened? Left Doctor Who last year, now shaved her head off for good! What's going on, K-Gill?! What have you done?!!

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, reason why is because of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. That's it.

JC: Oh...But I still hate her when she's a baldie...That just spoils it...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, guess she's Ginger Queen no more. Anyway, word to K-Gill...WEAR A WIG!!! A GINGER WIG!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, heard the news? I heard that the royal couple finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy so, let's congratulate them for their royal baby.

(cheers and applause)

RH: They gave birth to the future prince? The next prince? Wow! I'm impressed. Clap clap. I can't believe the whole world's been waiting for the birth of a royal baby from Prince William and Kate Middleton. This is the same anticipation I was expecting since the announcement of the new Pope. So..um...what's in the name?

JC: Uh...it's still confidential at the moment. But anyway, a big congratulations to the royal couple for the birth of their future prince.

(cheers and applause)

JC: Anyway, as you may know that the Initial D manga is coming to a climax this month and that made us car enthusiasts sad to see the end of Takumi Fujiwara and his AE86 Trueno battling against the best street racers on the mountain roads. With the end of the manga upon us, I just heard that there's going to be a new movie coming next year and...for the hell of it...the final season of the Initial D anime series called Initial D: Final Stage.

RH: A new film and a final season?

JC: Exactly. While we don't know about what's what about Summer 2014's Initial D movie, the final season of the Initial D anime covers most of the manga's epic finales. So, are you willing to see how it ends?

(murmuring)

RH: Well, if it's worth the risk. I'm in. I wanna see how Initial D ends...

JM: Me too...

(awww)

JM: Uh...Seat just announced a new addition to the new Leon. Check it out...

2014 Seat Leon ST

JM: This what they called it the Leon ST and what it is...is just a Golf Variant with some SEAT credentials on it. It's boring to explain what's what...

(audience laughing)

JC: Yeah. I'm bored with SEATs because they're nothing more of cheap VW's.

(audience laughing)

JM: Yeah, so why bother talking about regular cars on this show, anyway?

(audience laughing)

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

Breaking news from the July 22, 2013's Banana Nite's KANDILA!

Breaking news from the July 22, 2013's Banana Nite's KANDILA!

- New Bilibid Prison warden was introduced...just before prisoners escaped...

- The commitee asking about calling this country "Filipinas", condemned...and what's going on when words start with P now start with F anyway?

- Animal lovers condemn against comparing crocodiles from corrupt officials...so which buwaya is buwaya?!

Meanwhile we compare what would a Sosyal and Di Sosyal do by calling someone to eat, reacting from floods, and sleeping while sitting.

What makes Jollibee great for three and a half decades?

Jollibee

Back in 1975, a man named Mr. Tony Tan and his family started their own ice cream parlor in Cubao and two years later, their bakery was established in the outskirts of Cubao. That's when the Jollibee story was born. Jollibee is a 100% Filipino-owned company which expands its global operations as the years go by, making it one of the most successful fast-food chain in Asia. The CNN calls this as "The McDonald's of Asia" because even though it was hit hard during the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 90's, they're still going on strong.

It's 2013. And this year marks Jollibee's 35th birthday so why not making a little tribute to what CNN calls this "The McDonald's of Asia"? Question, What makes Jollibee great for three and a half decades?

I will be giving you numerous reasons what made it great and let's talk about the meal in question....the Yumburger.

What is the Yumburger? Well it may not be one of the burgers I have ever eaten back in the Philippines but there's more significance to this simple looking burger. Back in 1978, when Jollibee was first established, this became the firm's flagship product. Even though it looks more like a Burger McDo or any other burger you commonly see on the food stands next door, the Yumburger is one of the most ordered food in their menu thanks to its cheap pricing.

Then, there's the Spaghetti Special. A year has passed since Jollibee was founded, a new meal was served shortly before their first franchise owned store opened at Ronquillo Sta. Cruz. The Spaghetti Special, in my fondest memories, was their answer to McDonald's McSpaghetti. Even though it's not quite as good as the McSpaghetti, it's still worth the taste for a spaghetti meal made from a Filipino fast-food chain. I still miss the Spaghetti Special because this is the kind of meal I ate back in my childhood but never fear because what Jollibee made to the classic Spaghetti Special is by improving it and then transformed into...Jolly Spaghetti! The Spaghetti Special we knew...now made even better! Sweet-style spaghetti sauce with premium noodles topped with chunky slices of savory ham and sausages and lots of cheese!

So, what else that made Jollibee great for 35 years? The Chickenjoy! You know the commercial that goes "Isa pa! Isa pang Chickenjoy!" all of the sudden? Yeah, I remember that and I am a huge fan of those. Seems that I'm not the only one who got addicted to the Chickenjoy craze. This is probably one of the most popular choice on the menu and if they want to eat a heavy meal or a meal with, this is probably the only thing comes in the mind of the Jollibee customer.

Also great in Jollibee was the Burger Steak. For those who think they're not in the mood for Chickenjoy or Yumburger are considering this. A cup of rice, two burgers, a gravy, and some yummy mushrooms. Jollibee does the math and the super delicious Burger Steak was made for those who are in their lunch break from their work.

There's so many great stuff Jollibee has done for us, especially their french fries, their sundaes, their Jollibee kids meal, everything! What's also great about...was this...the Palabok Fiesta

Some say that Palabok is more than just a Filipino version of Spaghetti but I disagree on what they say because the Palabok is more than just one of the best Filipino dishes in ages. Palabok or Pancit Palabok is a kind of noodle dish that uses shrimp sauce and some of the finest ingredients such as cooked shrimp, boiled pork, crushed chicharon, tinapa flakes, fried tofu, scallions, and fried garlic. I love eating palabok so much, I actually wished to eat some more, even when I squirt some calamansi or lemon on it. Here at Jollibee, it's all Filipino values because the traditional pancit palabok is available for everyone thanks to Palabok Fiesta. Even though it's a traditional Filipino dish in Jollibee guise, it's still taste like a palabok and I love it. I love this meal so much, I actually want to eat some of it from my mom's or dad's.

There's so much choices around here but there's one you might consider about: THE CHAMP. Yes. CHAMP. Jollibee's answer to Big Mac but it's a bit less. While the Big Mac goes, well if you know the chant, you know what's in it. Anyway, the CHAMP is a bit less. A 1/3 pound burger patty made from 100% pure beef, garnished with the freshest vegetables and creamy slice of cheddar cheese served in a soft sesame bun. Yep, that's what the CHAMP had. It may not be quite as good as its Big Mac rival but as a Jollibee fan, I may not be fuzzy about this flagship burger because to me...it's worth it. No wonder this burger inspired a mascot of the same name.

Well, with so much greatness made from Jollibee over 35 years, I have to say that everything they done was the best, the meals, the commercials, the Jollibee kids meal, the Jollitown TV show, you name a few. Anyway, happy 35th year, Jollibee! You made us proud!

Top Gear S20E04

Top Gear S20E04

Once again, the boys had built something on the fourth episode of Top Gear Series 20 and their new HOVERVAN (A Ford Transit van with some hovercraft technology) might seems to be their answer if there's going to be a risk of global warming or flooding or high water level or whatever. Interesting? Yes. Working? So-so...

Anyway, while the HOVERVAN is the most interesting part of the Top Gear inventions, a tale of two SLS AMG models broke loose at the Top Gear Test Track. It's the overkilled SLS AMG Black Series with the updated 6.2L V8 engine and some mean aero on it versus the SLS AMG Electric Drive with 700HP generated in all four wheels. The SLS Black lapped round the track in 1:19.0 while the SLS Electric Drive did it in 1:21.7. 

Oh yeah, The Wolverine showed up at the Top Gear Test Track. Yep. Hugh Jackman, The Wolverine, was this week's star in the brand new reasonably priced car, the Vauxhall Astra Tech Line with Lifetime Warranty. On that segment, The Wolverine did it in 1:46.1.