What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 10, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2000 Dodge Viper GTS-R Concept

Designed by a Japanese, this race-spec Viper concept is designed to be more track focused in mind but surprisingly, this concept racer served as the foundation for the Viper's 2003 full model change. Osamu Shikado, the man responsible for this concept, told that the GTS-R Concept's profile is provided by a higher belt line, dramatic side gill, 'bump-up' rear fender shape and a more defined side crease. Quite a satisfying eye-candy for the enthusiasts, though.

2000 Dodge Viper GTS-R Concept

1999 Lamborghini Diablo GTR

As the the 21st century drawn near, the Lamborghini Diablo, the V12 flagship Lambo of the 90's, reaches its fond farewell and what's better for the Diablo's swan song is a more track-focused racecar called the Diablo GTR. Based from the GT model, the GTR is the hardcore Diablo that has all of its concessions of luxury removed to make it driver-focused on the track. Only 30 of these were made, making this one of the rare breed in the Lamborghini legacy.

1999 Lamborghini Diablo GTR

2013 Bentley Continental GT3 Racecar

Having made its world premiere at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the race-spec version of the uber-luxurious Continental GT coupe signals the Crewe-based carmaker's return to motorsports and it should be ready for its maiden voyage at the FIA Blancpain Series next year. The GT3 Racecar weighs 2,200 less than the normal CGT and the V8 engine that powers it is a real monster of a magnitude. It produces about 600HP, 0-60mph below three seconds, and top speed above 200mph. Not your father's Bentley anymore!

2013 Bentley Continental GT3 Racecar

Gran Turismo 6: Car Number 1 of "Vision Gran Turismo"

Vision Gran Turismo is Gran Turismo's 15th anniversary project where the world's top carmakers and brands challenge themselves to develop a concept car that shows its dedication in the world of Gran Turismo. The first car to spearhead Vision GT is Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision GT.



Getting to know more about the first of VGT is tough because, let's be honest, this is one of the exciting and amazing stuff you can only find in the world of Gran Turismo since the GTbyCitroen and the Red Bull X cars like the X2010 and the more powerful X2011. At first glance, the Vision GT by Mercedes-Benz looks utterly similar to one of their concepts, the Silver Arrow but judging by their preliminary sketches, this concept tries to capture the essence of Gran Turismo while staying true to its historical roots. This concept was theoretically inspired by the 500k Autobahn Courier, which is known to be one of the most elegant-looking classics made by Mercedes-Benz.

Anyway, no time for jammie dodgers because I'm here to talk about how did Car Number One of Vision GT fares in the GT6 stakes and I took it for a spin at the place I called "proving ground" and that could be the Ascari track in Southern Spain. Ah, it feels nice to call the Ascari track my new home when it comes to testing out new rides.

While the design is nothing but retro-futuristic, the engine that powers it is...yes...the AMG V8 BiTurbo engine that you get in today's AMG models but it's been uprooted to 577HP of power and 800Nm of torque, while being mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed gearbox. Now, I know double-clutch trannies do fare well when it comes for quicker shifting but some people say...double-clutches can be a bit of a baloney when it comes to its fun-to-drive factor. In the MB VGT however, this is different. It's still behaves like a lairy car any Brainiac would salivate for. It maybe as classy as Cinderella's glass slippers but it feels as lairy as...Lord Hater's spaceship. Being lairy is all about being cunning or conceited but it's all about being a massive show-off in a Brainiac kind of way.



By the moment I drive this, it feels promising at the start but when things starting to get more noticing for the MB AMG VGT, it's dynamic nature is starting to come unraveled and if I'm not careful on handling this delicate but crazy monster machine, it's going to cause me a terrible hangover but if I take time to master the raw firepower of this concept, I'm starting to appreciate the people behind the project.

Such greatness deserve a great challenge and to that, I'm taking MB's Vision GT to a seasonal event held at the newest original track in GT6: MATTERHORN.



Although an original track in GT6, it was situated in Gornergrat, Switzerland, an area commanding a breathtaking view of one of the world's iconic mountains. There are three layouts; the very technical Rotenboden, the moderate Riffelsee, and the more mild and menacing Dristelen. Because of the track's elevation, it would be more of a challenge for a car tackling this new track.

The Seasonal Event in question takes place it the Dristelen layout and my goal is to beat the Gold target time without all the ruckus. PP regulation is 584 or less, tires has to be Sports HARD or less, and no nitrous allowed. Since the MB VGT Concept's PP is 584, that makes it well enough to take on the hardest challenge yet.





Having manage to brave though the catastrophic elevations of this course, I manage to beat the Gold target time and my record is about an acceptable 1:10.726. It may not be the quickest lap time I set up on this car but this is more than enough to please them when it comes for the Mercedes-Benz Vision GT's true potential.



The first of the Vision GT project, the Mercedes-Benz AMG VGT, maybe more of a retro-futuristic vision of what would the Autobahn Courier be but in the world of Gran Turismo, this is worth demanding for a GT player, casual or hardcore, when it comes to mastering the bare essentials of this breathtaking concept car. For now, I'm taking this for a joyride down at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Cheers!







MERCEDES BENZ AMG VISION GT

Make: Mercedes-Benz
Country of origin: Germany

Drivetrain: FR
Max Power: 576HP
Max Torque: 590.4lb-ft
Weight: 1385kg

Vice President Design Daimler AG:
Gorden Wagener

Director Advanced Design Global:
Steffen Köhl

Director Interior Design Passenger Cars:
Hartmut Sinkwitz

Senior Manager Advanced Design Germany:
Holger Hutzenlaub

Team Manager Advanced Design Germany:
Oliver Samson

Team Manager Advanced Design California:
Hubert Lee

Designer Advanced Design Germany:
Bastian Baudy
Sylvain Wehnert

Designer Exterior Design Data:
Sven Eberwein

Designer Advanced Design Italy:
Jean Arthur Madelaide Advenier

Designer Advanced Design California:
Jackson Luttig

Manager Product Placement:
Caroline Pilz

Head of Exhaust Systems Construction Mercedes-AMG GmbH:
Ralph Illenberger

Head of Acoustics and Vibrations Mercedes-AMG GmbH:
Dr. Thomas Hoffman



Which carmaker or brand will get the Vision GT treatment? Find out soon for more of Vision GT!!!

Let's Do The News! (December 9, 2013)

The big scoop today...

1) Hyundai Avante goes one-off race in PH

2014 Hyundai Avante

Hyundai Asia Resources Inc is planning a one-off race series with the facelifted Elantra (Korean Name: Avante) soon. This was announced by HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo during the awarding ceremonies for the 2013 Lateral Drift Pro-Am Championship Series and this "Hyundai Circuit Series" will commence next year featuring the facelifted model with the 1.8-liter M/T as the basis for the racers.

Report: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/racing-news/hyundai-ph-to-stage-one-make-elantra-race-series-next-year

2) Bubble Gang on hot water over "naughty gag"

That's not gone well for GMA. Moments after MTRCB summoned the Kapuso network over newscaster Arnold Clavio's behavior in Unang Hirit, another one takes the toll and this time it's Bubble Gang. This was because of the new segment called "D Adventures of Susie Lualhati" and on that segment as seen on the November 29 episode, Ruffa Mae Quinto as Susie Lualhati demonstrates to a group how to make puto bumbong, which according to the MTRCB, gave the impression that she was simulating "male self-abuse". What does it mean?!

Report: http://kickerdaily.com/govt-censorship-body-looks-into-bubble-gangs-naughty-gag/

3) Miriam asks: Should Enrile be suspend or fired?

It seems the whole Defensor-Santiago vs. Enrile debate has been around the talk right now and looks like the angered senator, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, filed a complaint against Senator Juan Ponce Enrile over the use of offensive language at his November 27 speech.

Report: http://n5e.interaksyon.com/top/16A21B795EF74C6/1001/miriam-suspension-o-sibakin-si-enrile-sa-senado

4) Future Pinoy Astronaut back home

Chino Roque, the soon-to-be-first-Pinoy-astronaut thanks to AXE APOLLO SPACE PROGRAM, is back to the Philippines after being selected one of the aspiring hopefuls to go to space. What's his inspiration for him to take the biggest challenge yet?

Find out by watching this report: http://n5e.interaksyon.com/top/430E01637A48487/1001/future-pinoy-astronaut-balik-pinas-na

5) Naruto manga reaches its final SHINOBI WAR arc

“The battle of Naruto and his comrades is in it’s final phase, in the truest sense of the term. About the Ten Tails, about Madara, and then, about Sasuke…I will continue to raise the tension without restraint, in every way I can! Please follow this story of a boy named Naruto a little while longer, I will greatly appreciate it.” 

This was stated by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto in a TV interview that the Naruto manga series, the world's most-talked about franchise in the history of anime, reaches its finale as the Shinobi War will serve as the final arc. Is this time to say farewell to the famed ninja franchise?

Report: http://www.kzone.com.ph/blog/?p=11189

Last 50 Veyrons left...

Bugatti Veyron GSV Jean-Pierre Wimille

The Bugatti Veyron inventory is now 50 units left and when it's sold out, it's goodbye to the world's fastest car. The 400th Veyron has just rolled off the Molsheim plant and the model in question is the Jean-Pierre Wimille edition, one of the Legends specials. Since 2005, Bugatti produced 300 Veyron coupes and as of now, 100 roadsters, leaving 50 Veyron Grand Sport models to come before its grand finale.

Report: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bugatti-veyron-nearly-sold-out-2013-12-06

Sherlock Series 3 on New Year's Day

Mark the date: January 1, 2014. NEW YEAR'S DAY. Sherlock returns on BBC One this New Year and for the new series, it's all in the terror levels ever since Sherlock Holmes came back from the dead. Yes, we wouldn't mind landlady Mrs. Hudson screaming on the clip. Anyway, here's the trailer in question and oh, unlock exclusive clips and pictures from the new series with their interactive trailer at http://bit.ly/BBCSherlock3.

TTFN!!!

Vice Ganda meets Kael

In case you missed it, the December 8, 2013 episode of Gandang Gabi Vice sees presenter Vice Ganda having a good time with his special guest, Aaron Villaflor. You may remember Aaron Villaflor as Kael, Juan's formidable rival and the so-called heir to the villainous Haring Aswang in the fantasy-action drama Juan Dela Cruz. It's horse meets aswang in last night's episode and we had fun watching this show.

BMW i3

2014 BMW i3

This is quite a bizarre treat for BMW though. Having managed to create some sort of a zero-emission vehicle for the posh people, not to mention that BMW is a luxury car brand like the others, the new BMW i3 is one heck of a posh compact for those who think that the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt are so...(clears throat)...not their type.

It's the first of BMW's new BMW i sub-brand, which in their philosophy, represents visionary electric vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability. The i3 is more than just a city car peddling its zero-emission smug for the masses, it's just another one of those eco cars that goes "smug alert" owners would go for. I said smug, get it? Smug! Desolation of the smug! Oops! I said it again!

Anyway, while eco cars like the Prius, the Insight, the Leaf, and the Volt, among many others continuing their desolation of the smug alert, would the BMW i3 be part of it or is it? First, let's start with the basics but best to hurry up or else I'm totally tripping balls over this one.

2014 BMW i3

At its normal form, the i3 is generated by an electric motor placed in the rear axle which generates 170PS of power and 250Nm of torque. Yes, I see what they did there, that's more than the Nissan Leaf got by about 61PS but 4Nm less. 0-100kph takes 7.2 seconds and top speed limited to 150kph.

What really amazes me is unlike any other electric compacts which runs on front wheels, the i3 runs on rear-wheels, meaning that in theory, you can really make a mess in your neighborhood without knowing it's you. It's like you're doing the whole "it's not me cubicle shoe trick" where people think you're taking a tinkle instead of pooping at the toilet which you just did. Because it's smaller than any other normal EVs but a bit bigger than the ridiculously boring Mitsubishi i-MiEV, I can only imagine a few idiots willing to risk their lives driving one of these at their nearest shopping center. Get it? Amazing!

The normal version looks great when you're looking for some high-voltage hijinks. No, not the whole Brainiac stuff about electricity but you know what I mean. However, if you're looking for some extended trips, BMW offers the i3 an optional range extender engine, meaning you're turning this from Leaf to Volt because the Volt is a PHEV unlike the Leaf which relies on electricity only. Anyway, the REx option uses the 647cc engine direct from one of BMW's mopeds, the C650 GT. Wait a minute, do you really need an i3 with the option of using a petrol engine from a moped?

For the i3 with the REx option, the petrol engine only kicks in when it's low-batt, serving this as a generator to produce electricity to extend the range by about 320km. It may not be qualified as a suitable car that takes you to a trip from your house in Muntinlupa to a park in Baguio but the optional moped engine is quite handy when you need it until it's time for a recharge.

The BMW i3 has the maximum total range when treated right is up to 200km while the one with the REx option, can last up to 340km. As for the batteries, a DC fast charging will take less than 30 minutes, about the same length as two 15-minute episodes of your favorite cartoon, while charging in AC takes about 3 to 6 hours, and it takes 6 to 8 hours when you charge it at your house via an ICCB outlet. Depending on your schedule, it might be best to plan your charging accordingly because if you left with an i3 with less than what you expect, this is like an embarrassing exit from your house to your school with your toast in your mouth.

2014 BMW i3 interior

I'm starting to think that the BMW i3 is becoming the city car that defies the conventions of what a zero-emission electric cars of today have. I think it's becoming more fun to drive not only because it's rear-wheel drive but maybe because of its zero emission that most idiots would do to drive one of these at the malls without causing too much smoke belchings and its compact sizing which makes it very unique. I do really wish to have one of these but because of its 34,950 Euro pricing, I'm afraid that this is too much to pay for this very enjoyable green car which sends Dr. Bunhead into questioning what in a world would he do for this.

2014 BMW i3

Available colors: Ionic Silver mit Akzent BMW i Blau, Arravanigrau mit Akzent BMW i, Blau, Solarorange mit Akzent Frozen Grey metallic, Laurusgrau mit Akzent BMW i Blau, Andesitsilber mit Akzent BMW i Blau, and Capparisweiß mit Akzent BMW i Blau.

Photo: BMW AG

Top Gear Awards 2013

Top Gear Awards 2013

The latest issue of BBC Top Gear Magazine listed the winners of the Top Gear Awards 2013 as they crowned the best cars of 2013 across 20 categories including picks from Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May.

McLaren P1 - Hypercar of the year, Clarkson's COTY
Ferrari 458 Speciale - Supercar of the year, May's COTY
Porsche 911 GT3 (991) - Hammond's COTY
Jaguar F-Type - Convertible of the year
Honda Mean Mower - Thing of the year
Citroen C4 Picasso - Family Car of the year
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series - Lairy Car of the Year
Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray - Not The Muscle Car of the Year
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222) - Luxury Car of the Year
Rolls Royce Wraith - Rather Splendid Motor Car of the Year
Hyundai i10 - Bargain of the Year
Peugeot 208 T16 - Racecar of the Year
BMW i3 - Green Car of the Year
Range Rover Sport - SUV of the Year
VW XL1 - Innovation of the Year
Porsche - Manufacturer of the Year
Ford Fiesta ST - Hot hatch of the Year, TOP GEAR COTY 2013 Winner

2014 Ford Fiesta ST

Source: http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/top-gear-magazine-awards-winners-2013-12-04

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: New homes for 2,800 families by Christmas

According to the report from The Philippine Star, more than 2,800 families of Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan survivors will have new homes by Christmas as stated by the DPWH. On Christmas Day, it shall have complete the construction of 119 temporary shelters or bunkhouses each comprising 24 units.

119 out of 142 bunkhouses being built by the DPWH for Yolanda survivors in Eastern Visayas and when 2014 hits, the agency is targeting to complete the construction.

Report: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/08/1265556/new-homes-2800-families-christmas