Top Gear USA S04E02

TGUSA S04E02

It's the second episode of the fourth season of Top Gear (THE HIT US SHOW) on History and this is the one where the boys trying to make their own convertibles out of their tough used cars and find out if their DIY open-top roughers tough enough to survive Alaska. Rut opts for the 1999 Jeep Cherokee Classic while Adam goes for the 1999 Toyota Tacoma and Tanner goes for the 1999 Chevrolet Express van. Their mission? Survive Alaska and road test them in a series of challenges from Anchorage to Homer.

The first challenge involves straight-line performance in an Alaskan drag strip and the boys have to close the roofs while in driving in the straight line. With Tanner and Rut's home made convertibles getting a belly-up of themselves, Adam wins the first round.

The second challenge involves off-road capability and find out which one sustains less damage. Once again, Adam takes a win in that challenge.

While on a stopover, it seems that Tanner's van got infested by a bear. Then later, while stopping at the store and Adam heads out to buy some stuff, Tanner and Rut making a wreck out of Adam's Tacoma.

After much carnage, the boys are on their third challenge to find out how waterproof these homemade cars are. However, Tanner tried to escape his Express van against the water-dropping helicopter and out to Homer.

With Tanner cheated and Rut managed to win the third challenge, it's a do-or-die race to Homer, minus Adam because his Tacoma's got broken... While Tanner takes on the normal roads heading Homer, Rut summons an unusual ally to get through Homer fast and having him and his Cherokee taking a boat ride to Homer! In the end, Tanner crossed Homer first! Annoyingly, Adam hitched a ride with a helicopter carrying his Toyota truck to the finish line and then...the helicopter dropped his truck to the endgame!

Overall, after so much ruckus in Alaska, it's confirmed that the Toyota Tacoma is the best truck to survive through Alaska, even if it means by falling through the endgame for the win.

Mazda Furai concept destroyed by Top Gear

Top Gear destroyed the Furai Concept

Well, that was one gigantic failure. What Top Gear didn't want us to know that five years ago, they've destroyed a one-of-a-kind Mazda Furai concept racer.

This untimely death of Mazda's one-of-a-kind concept car at the hands of Top Gear will be featured at some of the untold secrets from Top Gear history at the magazine's 20th anniversary issue and yes, that looks quite tragic indeed about what just happened to Mazda's rotary-powered concept racer that was based on the ALMS prototype.

Let's recall that the Furai Concept once made a cameo in the Series 11 finale of Top Gear back in 2008.

Story: Autoweek

What to see at the 2013 IAA

2013 IAA

The 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) runs from September 12 to 22 and there has been numerous world premieres of some of the newest models and concept cars ever featured by the world's top car manufacturers so what to expect at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show? Here are the list to expect:

2014 Alfa Romeo Giulietta
2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet
2014 Audi A8
2014 Audi A8L
2013 Audi Nanuk quattro Concept
2014 Audi S8
2013 Audi Sport quattro Concept
2013 Audi TTS Coupe competition
2013 Audi TTS Roadster competition
2014 BMW 4-Series Coupe
2014 BMW 4-Series Coupe M Performance Parts
2014 BMW 435i Coupe
2014 BMW 5-Series
2014 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo
2014 BMW 5-Series Touring
2013 BMW Active Tourer Outdoor Concept
2014 BMW M5
2014 BMW X5
2014 BMW X5 M50d
2013 BMW X5 Security Plus Concept
2013 BMW X5 eDrive Concept
2014 BMW i3
2015 BMW i8
2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S
2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S Convertible
2013 Brabus B63S-700 6x6
2013 Bugatti Veyron Jean Bugatti
2014 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
2013 Citroen Cactus Concept
2014 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
2014 Dacia Duster
2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale
2014 Fiat 595 Abarth 50th Anniversary
2013 Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept
2013 Ford S-MAX Concept
2014 Hyundai i10
2013 Infiniti Q30 Concept
2013 Jaguar C-X17 Concept
2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar
2013 Kia Niro Concept
2014 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse
2014 Land Rover Discovery
2015 Land Rover Range Rover Hybrid
2013 Lexus LF-NX Concept
2013 Maserati Quattroporte Zegna Edition Concept
2014 Mazda 3
2014 Mazda 3 Sedan
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Concept
2015 Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-In Hybrid
2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
2014 Nissan Micra
2014 Nissan X-Trail
2014 Opel Insignia
2014 Opel Insignia Country Tourer
2014 Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer
2013 Opel Monza Concept
2014 Peugeot 3008
2013 Peugeot 308 R Concept
2014 Peugeot 5008
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder
2014 Porsche Panamera Diesel
2013 Renault Initiale Paris Concept
2014 Renault Megane
2014 Seat Leon ST
2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback
2014 Skoda Yeti
2013 Smart FourJoy Concept
2013 Suzuki iV-4 Concept
2013 Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Concept
2014 Vauxhall Insignia
2014 Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer
2014 Volkswagen Golf R
2013 Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf
2014 Volkswagen e-Up
2013 Volvo Coupe Concept

...and more!

 

What's in our Car Town garage today? (September 12, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

The new generation Charger SRT8 is the high-performance version of the Charger 4-door saloon car when it was showcased to the world at the 2011 Chicago Motor Show. For the new model, they have increased the size of the V8 engine from the former's 6.1L to 6.4L, therefore resulting to more power and more torque than ever before. It also comes with the Fuel Saver technology which allows the V8 engine to run on four-cylinders, all in the manner of saving fuel.

2012 Dodge Charger SRT8

1992 VW Vanagon

The Vanagon is definitely one of the ideal people carriers for those who want to enjoy the weekends going places, picnic trips, summer holidays, or whatever they want to do on their free time. For this model, you can expect a rough interior and some vinyl seats but you don't care because if you had one of those, it's a sure thing that you have a van that was a fitting for your next trip. There's even a Camper version which has a refrigerator, propane stove, and sink for added convenience and then there's the Weekender version which offered an optional removable cabinet with a 12 volt cooler and self-contained sink.

1992 VW Vanagon

1979 VW Bus

If the Beetle is one of the iconic VW cars ever made, then the Bus or the Kombi or the Type 2, whatever you call it, is one of the most iconic VW minibuses ever built for the long weekends ahead. It has numerous body styles but the Bus is really tops the Type 2 history and such popularity garnered many nicknames, but for the fun of it, it was commonly nicknamed "the hippie car" because of the counterculture movement of the 1960's.

1979 VW Bus

Let's Do The News! (September 11, 2013)

Richard: Now, the news and big news from Apple because they've launched two new iPhone 5 models which caters on different kind of consumer demographics. Here it is, first up is the iPhone 5S, here it is...

iPhone 5S

(ooh)

Richard: And oh! There's the more colorful and cheap cousin, the iPhone 5C, here it is...

iPhone 5C

Jeremy: Hold it. Hold it. Hold it. Two versions of the iPhone 5?! One is the S and one is the C?!

Richard: Yeah. That was announced by Apple themselves.

Jeremy: Now what makes me confused is...what is the difference between the 5S and the 5C?

James: Well, it maybe the letters but...according to our sources, the 5C costs $99 for the 16GB while the 32GB model costs about $199. The iPhone 5S, on the other hand, costs $199 for the 16GB model up to $399 for the 64GB. Annoyingly, the 64GB iPhone 5S costs the same as the PS4 but then we're now onto the real part of the specs sheet.

Jeremy: What is it?

James: Well, says here the 5C features an A6 chip, ultrafast LTE wireless, an 8MP iSight camera, and iOS 7. The 5S, on the other hand, features an A7 chip, a Touch ID fingerprint identity sensor, ultrafast LTE wireless, an iSight camera with a larger 8MP sensor, and iOS 7.

Jeremy: Wait, the 5S now comes with fingerprint recognition? What was that? No need for passcodes? Just fingerprints?

James: Yes. Seems that Apple's getting clever in making the 5S more secured for the users because with one fingerprint, that's it. The 5S's yours.

Jeremy: Now that was fine by first but annoyingly, it's not worth it for those who owned last year's iPhone 5 because some people say that Apple spent most of their R&D on a fingerprint lock that was nothing more of a gimmick for the 5S. What's annoying about that was...why would it need a Gold color? What are you? Some sort of bling-bling hotshots?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Also, the 5C, what really annoyed me that some people said that the 5C was nothing more of a painted PLASTIC and what surprises me that it weighs more than the old iPhone 5. It's true. Weighs more!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: What are they thinking? Shouldn't Apple keep on improving rather than just being...well, I was gonna say "regular" but who cares about these. It's not worth the upgrade anyway...

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, last night, there was some flood going on because of the rains brought out by, no. Not Habagat. But, the ITCZ or the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. Because of all that waist-deep flooding, the whole roads are stuck in traffic and some people had to take on the MRT to get through destinations. Now, what seems amusing that there are some celebs taking the MRT to get through their destinations, especially Kris Aquino, who was currently the talk of the town when she posted her pic about herself taking the MRT. Anyone seen it?

(audience murmuring)

Richard: Well, I do.

Jeremy: Well, based on her experience, she calls her ride with MRT a "memorable experience". Memorable experience? What was that?! That's nothing. There's nothing "memorable" about riding the MRT? Everyday people are riding on it. Anyway, look at what they react about this:

Kris Aquino rides the MRT and calls it a memorable experience. Commuters call it daily life. #classperspective
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 11, 2013

Jeremy: And then, this...

Kris Aquino took the MRT? How I wish every politician would do the same.
— Tin Briones (@TinBri0nes) September 10, 2013

(audience laughing)

James: Is it class perspective or is everyone around the Metro are reacting about Kris Aquino's MRT ride?

Jeremy: Beats me but not just her, there were a number of celebs riding the MRT last night; Anne Curtis, Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, oh, there's even the boxer Manny Pacquiao riding the MRT last night! So, what do you guys think? When you see a celeb riding an MRT, do you think a celeb might said that it's their "memorable experience"?

(murmuring)

Jeremy: Oh well. Even the rich and famous had to take public transport in case of heavy traffic but I'm not happy about it.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, there has been numerous reports about Zamboanga City right now because...Well, there was a clash between the government troops and the MNLF rebels, which caused so much havoc all over Zamboanga. Seems that everyone living in this city are in panic mode right now because...

James: Because what?

Jeremy: Well, I was gonna say they could get themselves trapped in a middle of a crossfire between the troops and the rebels. Oh great, there goes the revolution. No no, not the TV show which the new season starts on NBC this month. I'm talking to a different kind of revolution out there and that's going to scare innocent bystanders out there. Ooh...this is taking too much war stuff around here. Makes me wanna hide on the bomb shelter....

(audience laughing)

Richard: Well, not from us, sucker! Might as well be trapped in a war economy rather than saving your butts somewhere else!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh, come on! Give me a chance, okay?

(audience laughing)

James: Hey, have you guys seen the new X-Trail?

Jeremy: What?

James: The new Nissan X-Trail! Look at this...

2014 Nissan X-Trail

Richard: Whoa, what was that?

Jeremy: I don't know, it now looks like a Murano in here but what just happened? It's now turned into another one of those...things that we did last time.

James: You mean crossovers?

Jeremy: Yeah. I was gonna said that but whatever it is, it became nothing more of a caravanner's car. What just happened?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, we're still months away from the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special but there are some more news to it and the latest is...the title. Here it is...

The Day of The Doctor

(wow)

Jeremy: The title is The Day of The Doctor. That was amusing for the title of the DW50 special because look at the date; November 23, 2013, that's 50 years since the first Doctor Who TV series hit the airwaves and I think it's more of a personal milestone out there but still, it's worth dramatic.

Richard: Well, that was nice. People wanted to see Matt Smith and David Tennant together in the TV special. Ugh...why bother? My mind's in the middle of haywire right now because...

Jeremy: Oh wait, lemme guess...did you see Miley Cyrus's music video with her naked on it?

(audience laughing)

Richard: Well, possibly, but I was wondering about the MAD spoof about Doctor Who. Did you guys seen it?

(audience murmuring)

James: Well, I had.

Jeremy: No, I'm not.

Richard: Well, I can't believe this is a first time an animated sketch show does a Doctor Who spoof but anyway...

(chattering noise)

Jeremy: What was that?

Richard: It's my phone.

(chattering noise)

James: And why it sounds like it's chattering?!

(chattering noise)

James: That kinda sounds like a platypus chattering.

(chattering noise)

Richard: Yep. It does sound like a platypus chattering and oh! There's my phone call! Hello?

Jeremy: Well, you might as well talk to the phone right now but anyway, that is the end of the news.

Audi RS7 Sportback

2014 Audi RS7 Sportback

Well, that was quite an unexpected arrival for this hot version of the Audi A7 4-door coupe even this promises to give the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and the BMW M6 Gran Coupe a run for their money. So, ladies and gents, meet the Audi RS7 Sportback.

Lurking behind the skunk works of quattro GmBH, this high-performance 4-door coupe tries to balance it out not just as a premium saloon car but also a sports saloon that prefers to play with alkali metals in the bathroom, only cesium is worth the big bang in the bathtub perhaps. The science lesson is always one of Audi's biggest excuses when it comes to retain their "Vorsprung Durch Technik" slogan but because Germans love to do some serious stuff, all that sense of humor is not here, and so are its German rivals. Sometimes, it always left fake smiles rather than real smiles even when you made a fantastic joke out of it but no matter what, the Germans never laughed because humor is not in the German lexicon. There's another thing about how German is a German car because rather than losing its sense of humor, it's bang goes to the fear, the sorrow, and the fury. A true German car has to be more emotionless in order to focus to its keen points a driver would want but to be honest, it's all emotion commotion for this kind of scenario anyway.

For such a serious car like the RS7, it's rigged with Audi's 4.0 TFSi twin turbo engine which develops the same as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. 0-100kph takes about 3.9 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph or if you have enough cash, there's this dynamic package which raises the limit to 280kph or the very serious dynamic package plus which has its limit raised to 305kph, about 20 less than the LP560-4 Gallardo so it's not much of what you call...hmmm...

In terms of handling, well that was a bit of a brainstormer here, it still retains its seriousness as a German car and even if your hammering around like a megalomaniac, heh, no fuss. It behaves just like an office junior jumping through the swimming pool with some office equipment. Be warned though that while it drives seriously on the open roads, it still yanks like babies and roadworks. You wouldn't want one to use it as a chauffeur's car because sometimes, you'll be waking your boss up with his wine spilled on his pants. Quite an embarrassing moment eh and if it happened if you drive one of these in formal occasions or some sort of luxury parties, you're going to ruin theirs because what you have here is morally impolite. Geez, I don't really want to have one or have my driver to chauffeur with me because things can really get as messy as Japanese wasabi.

What's also crazy about the RS7 is its serious pricing and I was hoping to be priced competitively between the CLS63 and the M6 Gran Coupe but with this, it starts at around 113,000 Euros, around 20,000 more than the S7 Sportback, which is a lesser brother to that. So, with so many questions about the new RS7 are better left untold, it all leads to everyone's verdict to figure out how does the RS7 stack up but in the meantime, don't. It's still worth leaving your ears red if you had one and when you hear people talking about your ride.

Photo: Audi AG

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J150 minor change

The Land Cruiser Prado, it maybe the junior version of the Land Cruiser but it really behaves like its big brother thanks to its off-road capability, luxurious interior fit for politicians, big engines, and the high pricing that will really empty your pockets. This is the kind of offroader that you can expect to see one crossing through the streets whether if you're in the Philippines or in the Middle East or in Europe or in India or in Australia but the junior version of Japan's answer to the Range Rover really tries to be a stand-out in the face of the crowd. If you're happen to drive or ride in one of those, people might think that you are a high-ranking official trying to make the rounds.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Now, there is an updated version of the Prado and judging by its minor change, I still don't understand the way it looks because look at its new front face, it's about as disappointing as the M_h_ndr_ Sc_rp__. (NOTE: I removed some of the vowels on it to prevent search engine query hijinks by the time I'm checking) And then there's the headlamps which is now has the shape of a putter and...are we playing golf or what? Sorry, we're not playing golf, perhaps it's still the SUV capable of sending rich politicians to the golf course for their recess.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado interior

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado interior

So, what about the interior? For the very observant amongst you, it seems the dashboard's changed a bit and the more expensive models now come with the SD Navigation System featuring G-BOOK mX Pro (Version 2.1). Yes, quite an update on the hardware and the software alike for navigational purposes in mind but there has been some numerous mild updates on the interior such as the updated speedo with some multicolor TFT LCD with high visibility, and yes, you can still have the optional 3rd row seating to make the Prado a seven seater. I'm not quite sure if this can be used as a family car and hey, summer's almost over, so make the most out of it but no. Never mind, the Prado's too expensive for a family car, it's usable for the rich and famous, even politicians.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Of course, you can still have the 2.7L 2TR-FE engine with the power output of 163PS and the fuel economy of 8.5km/L or a powerful 4.0L V6 1GR-FE engine with Dual VVT-i, that carries the power output of 276PS and the fuel economy of 7.9km/L, but remember, if you go for the 2.7L model, you'll have a 4-speed automatic, while if you're for the powerful and ultra-thirsty V6 model, the gearbox you can expect is a 5-speed SUPER ECT with sequential shiftmatic. Also, you can expect numerous features offered on the new Prado such as KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), crawl control, Multi-Terrain Select, Pre-Crash Safety system, clearance sonar, radar cruise control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Anti-lock Brake System, Vehicle Stability Control, SRS airbags, reinforced body, and the Multi Terrain Monitor.

The Price List:
2.7L TX 5-seater - 3,180,000 Yen
2.7L TX 7-seater - 3,330,000 Yen
2.7L TX L Package 5-seater - 3,620,000 Yen
2.7L TX L Package 7-seater - 3,770,000 Yen
4.0L TZ - 4,250,000 Yen
4.0L TZ-G - 4,900,000 Yen

Available colors: Super Whit II, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Black, Attitude Black Mica, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Green Mica, and Dark Blue Mica.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

CHILDHOOD RUINED: Teletubbies set flooded by owner due to "tourism"

Teletubbies set before and after

The Teletubbies, the BBC's preschool show featuring four noticeable characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa, and Po. The TV show aired from 1997 to 2001, has tons of merchandising rights, and it remains one of the most controversial shows in ages. Now even though it's no longer with us, most of the people visited the place in question, which is the set used for the hit BBC preschool show. It's located somewhere in Wimpstone, Warwickshire.

What shocked us that the owner of that place where the Teletubbies are filmed had enough of that. She said “People were jumping fences and crossing cattle fields. We’re glad to see the back of it.” The solution? She flooded the whole set into just a questionable pond! Pity though, more like CHILDHOOD RUINED for us...

Source: Mirror

Let's Do The News! (September 10, 2013)

The mad, the bad, and dangerous in the world of news today...

- Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov urged Syrian leaders to hand over their chemical weapons to international control in a bid to prevent a potential US military strike. He said that Russia will cooperate with the Assad regime to avert a US attack on Syria and ask Syria to join the Hague-based organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Syria accepted Russia's proposals.

- The USA Today newspaper and Pew Research Center released the results of a survey of over 1500 people nationwide and according to the poll, 60% oppose Syria intervention.

- For the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will showcase a concept car with a very funny name. It's called the Nanuk quattro concept and this concept 4x4 supercar was penned by Italdesign Giugiaro.

Audi Nanuk Quattro concept

- If you thought the 6-wheel drive Mercedes G63 concept is all "fantastic" and "mathematical" to you, then Brabus decided to make it more "mathematical" by tuning up the G63 AMG 6x6 for their B63S-700 6x6 masterpiece in Frankfurt Motor Show.

Brabus B63S-700 6x6

- After long waits, the production version of the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid-engine wielding sportscar was finally revealed and it will be showcased at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

- Namco Bandai Games announced that they will make a new Gundam and THE iDOLM@STER video game for the all new Playstation4. Also, iM@S creator says that there's going to be a stand-alone iM@S game in the works. Wonder what could that be?

- The Playstation Vita gets even better because Sony announced the PSVita TV system which allows PSVita users to play PSVita games on TV, download PSP and PSX games, and access various video and web services. Also, a more slimmer PSVita and a new 64GB memory card for the Vita were announced.

- Is this going to be the successor of the Golf Plus MPV? Volkswagen showcased the Golf Sportsvan concept car to preview such a thing...

VW Golf Sportsvan concept

TTFN!

The World God Only Knows Character CD. 8, 9, 10, 000

Goddess Arc is the name of the third season of The World God Only Knows (日本名: 神のみぞ知るセカイ 女神篇) and the latest season sees the return of fan favorites Keima Katsuragi, special agents Elsie and Haqua, and some of the favorites. There are some new characters featured in the new series where Keima investigates the secrets of the goddess. It may not be a "do or die" mission but the third series is worth a throwing.

So, the character CDs inspired from the third chapter of the Kaminomi anime, yes, there's one volume where special agents Elsie and Haqua returned as one but the first three features some of the new characters such as Tenri Ayukawa, Tsukiyo Kojo, and Yui Goido. Yes, we know who you are but sorry, we're not because the best way is to have one of those and if you're thinking of these as valuables, it's all part of the whole Kaminomi music CD collection.

1) Character CD.8 Tenri Ayukawa starring KAORI NAZUKA





2) Character CD.9 Tsukiyo Kujo starring YUKA IGUCHI





3) Character CD.10 Yui Goido starring AYAHI TAKAGAKI





4) Character CD.000 Elysia de Lute Ima & Haqua d'rot Herminium starring KANAE ITO & SAORI HAYAMI

Super GT 2013 Round 6 Fuji Speedway

#38 ZENT CERUMO LEXUS SC430

The sixth round of the 2013 Super GT season returns on Fuji Speedway and amazingly, this was the first win for the ZENT CERUMO racing team of Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate in their #38 Lexus SC racer while in the GT300 class, the #4 GSR HATSUNE MIKU BMW, driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tatsuya Kataoka, won Round 6 of this year's Super GT.

PRESS RELEASE:

ZENT CERUMO SC430 gets its first win of the season! BMW conquers in the GT300 class

The FUJI GT 300km RACE, Round 6 of the AUTOBACS SUPER GT, took place at Fuji Speedway (one lap 4.563km x 66 laps) in Shizuoka Pref. on Sept. 8. In difficult conditions with rain drizzles on and off, the winner of the GT500 class was the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 driven by Yuji Tachikawa and Kohei Hirate. The GT300 class winner was the No. 4 GSR HATSUNEMIKU BMW driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tatsuya Kataoka.

On race day at Fuji Speedway there was rain in the morning, but by noon the rain had stopped and the track was mostly dry by the time of the race start at 14:00. In these relatively good track conditions, the No. 38 ZENT CERUMO SC430 driven by Kohei Hirate made a good start from pole position. The ZENT CERUMO SC430 ran in the lead with its fellow Lexus car, the No. 37 KeePer TOM'S SC430 driven by Andrea Caldarelli, in tow until the Safety Car came out to control the race after machine trouble caused a machine to crash on the 21st lap. During the time it took to clear up the aftermath of the crash, the ZENT CERUMO SC430 had lost most of its margin of lead. When it became possible for the teams to make pit stops, the ZENT CERUMO SC430 and most of the other cars in the lead group made their routine pit stops and changed drivers. Because some teams didn’t make their routine stops, however, the ZENT CERUMO SC430 had given up the lead by the time it returned to the race with Yuji Tachikawa now at the wheel, and what’s more, it was hit by another car in its first lap out of the pit and ended up in 5th position as a result. But knowing that not getting the win in this race would effectively end the ZENT CERUMO SC430 team’s title chances, Tachikawa began a hard charge through the pack amid constantly changing conditions as rain began to fall on and off. Finally, by the 43rd lap of the race, Tachikawa regained the lead. From this point on, Tachikawa would face a tough challenge from the No. 17 KEIHIN HSV-010 (Koudai Tsukakoshi) but in the end he lived up to his reputation as a mater at the Fuji course and always a strong finisher by fending off the challenge to give his team its first victory of the season.

This was the second win of the season for the LEXUS SC430 and its 18th overall. For Tachikawa it is his 15th GT500 career win, bringing him into a tie for most wins by a driver. For Hirate it was his fifth win.

In the GT300 class, the No. 4 GSRHATSUNEMIKU BMW driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tatsuya Kataoka started from 5th position on the starting grid and took advantage of some fast pit work just after the Safety car came out and succeeded in taking the lead among the cars that had made quick pit stops. After that, the BMW’s second stint driver Taniguchi did a magnificent job of handling the slippery conditions after rain began to fall. In the end, he scored the team’s first win of the season with a massive 47-second lead over 2nd place at the finish.

This was the fifth win overall for the BMW Z4 in GT300 class competition. For Taniguchi it is his 13th win, and for Kataoka it is his sixth.

Source: SUPER GT official

The next round of the SUPER GT 2013 season takes place at AUTOPOLIS this October 6, 2013.

Sixth-generation Toyota Crown Majesta (GWS214)

The Majesta is the flagship of the Toyota Crown lineup and by the word flagship, it was notable for putting up a big engine, mainly the big, thirsty V8 engine on it used by over five generations. For the brand new, sixth-generation model, which is now the long-wheelbase version of the 14th generation Crown, launched last year, the brand new Majesta is now breaking the Majesta tradition while retaining the status of being the flagship saloon that was commonly the chauffeur's choice.

2014 Toyota Crown Majesta

The oddity starts at the exterior because there goes the rather controversial front face as seen on the current-generation Crown, which was launched since Christmas Day 2012, because past Crowns are subtle, more classier, and more sophisticated but right now, I'm sensing the loss of sophistication here because I don't think the new front face will be worth the taking of being a flagship saloon car for the executives. However, while the new front face is rather controversial rather than being classy, it's all part of the way it handles its aerodynamics because there's the lower-front grille shutter which opens and shuts based on the car's speed and engine water temperature. With this, the new shutter under the grille reduces air resistance and improves engine warm-up efficiency. Clever though, and now to the real part why there was a thing that the Majesta tradition was broken.

2014 Toyota Crown Majesta

For the brand new Majesta, the old V8's of yesteryear's Majesta generations is no longer offered, thrown away, and yes, I am shocked to say that the previous Majesta, the 2009-era Majesta, really is the final V8-powered Toyota sedan ever made and since it's gone, it's gone for good and the new Majesta is equipped with the 3.5L V6 hybrid powerplant inherited from the latest generation Lexus GS450h. Although, it has the same hybrid powerplant as the GS450h, the new Majesta's 3.5L V6 engine produces about 292PS of power alone and for the sake of science, the new Majesta has an electric motor which produces 147kW of power so when both of the V6 engine and the electric motor kicks in, I'd expect that it has the same combined output as the GS450h's...and it wasn't. 343PS of combined power output, less than the GS450h produced and less than the previous model's 4.6L V8. On the plus side, it packs more power than the previous model's 4.3L V8, so positively, the 18.2km/L of fuel consumption really shows that a little downsizing really placed the whole "less is more" philosophy, the new Majesta with its hybrid powerplant has the power of a V8 with the fuel economy of a compact car. Yeah, they can do science, them.

The gearbox is now a CVT but based on the instruction manual I read, when I shift this to its S-MODE, it behaves like an 8-speed gearbox with a little help of eight simulated gears. That seems fine but as a concept, it feels a bit old-fashioned for me. If you're in a middle of a "Don't Hurry" situation, the CVT gearbox is your only friend but if you're in a rush hour, expect a strong hating for this gearbox.

On the suspension side, the new Majesta comes with front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension, made to keep this flagship saloon as comfortable as...hmmm...walking on a pool of custard? Yep, I was gonna say that but I haven't got to the other part about loads of tech done in the name of stability and yes, I am now because for the new model, it has Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS). It also has this Navigation/Artificial Intelligence-Adaptive Variable Suspension System (NAVI/AI-AVS) which provide integrated control of vehicle behavior in tandem with the four wheels to create a flat ride and comfortable handling. Yep, this is quite a treat if you don't want to wake your boss sleeping at the rear seat but be warned though, although the new Majesta was more focused on comfort, I'm afraid that it's not quite exciting to drive either because with all of those tech loaded as well as being governed by some sort of electronic nanny, this car is a bit of a gentleman's manner rather than a car made for chase scenes in case of unsuspecting Yakuzas chasing you from behind. Even when set to SPORT MODE, it feels a bit of a same in here.

2014 Toyota Crown Majesta interior

2014 Toyota Crown Majesta interior

As for the pricing, the new model now costs less than the previous model because it now costs 6.1 million Yen, about 20,000 less than the old one and the top-of-the-line F-Version costs 6.7 million Yen and for that version, you can have a Pre-Crash Safety System, Intelligence Clearance Sonar, and Radar Cruise Control. I know, the new model may have cut its costs to make it more valuable than the previous model but I'm afraid that it is a bit costly for a long-wheelbase version of the Crown Royal with the Lexus GS450h powerplant on it.

Like any other luxury saloons, the new Majesta does have a comfortable interior and thanks to its long wheel-base, the new Majesta does focused on having space at the back more than anything else, like what the Chinese had for their long-wheelbase versions of German saloons, it also has a bigger boot which accommodates up to four golf bags, and as a limousine, it really does make you feel LIKE A BOSS. Summing up this car then is hard because let's be honest, what I like about the new Majesta is its long wheelbase, space at the back, the pursuit of being a comfortable car, and the hybrid powerplant which produces V8 power with compact-like fuel economy, while what I don't like about the new Majesta is the CVT gearbox with eight simulated gears, not quite exciting to drive (quite an irony from Toyota's FUN TO DRIVE AGAIN slogan), and the design that is a bit controversial.

Colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine,  Silver Metallic, Precious Silver, Black, Dark Red Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation