Let's Do The News! (December 18, 2013)

The big scoop today...

1) New Mini JCW Concept

2014 Mini John Cooper Works Concept

Come at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit, Mini will be showcasing a concept model of what we believed to be the next generation Mini John Cooper Works hot hatch. It maybe a concept model but it sure does served as a preview of a hotter Mini based on an all new Mini.

Report: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mini-john-cooper-works-revealed-2013-12-17

2) Papa Dom of Tropical Depression band passed away

Papa Dom, known by his real name Dominic Gamboa, of a local reggae band Tropical Depression passed away today in which some say caused by a fatal kidney disease. Singer Cookie Chua posted on her Facebook "Hanggang sa muli Papadom Gamboa, mahal na mahal kita ang aking guro nung nagsisimula pa lamang ako sa eksena,"

Report: http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/1269565/tropical-depression-frontman-passes-away

3) Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 5 announced

To celebrate the Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune arcade series' 10th anniversary, the folks at Namco Bandai Games announced the fifth installment of the hit racing arcade. So, what's new on Maximum Tune 5? Well, there's a new harder EXTREME mode if you're a bit of a hardcore racer, then, there are three new machines such as the TOYOTA 86, Subaru BRZ, and the legendary Nissan Skyline RS-X S30, and this game offers MaxiG currency where your winnings can be spent for dress-up kits for your car such as rear wing, vinyls, bumpers, wheels, and more.

It will be commenced this March 2014.

URL: http://wanganmaxi-official.com/wanganmaxi5/

4) Suspect Arrested in Kuroko's Basketball Poison Threat Case

A 36-year-old man, who believed to be the mastermind behind the KuroBas Poison Threat Cases that involves sending threat letters to convenience store chains and establishments linked to Tadatoshi Fujimaki's KuroBas manga, was arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department in Higashinari ward in Osaka on Sunday. The suspect goes by the name of Hirofumi Watanabe and he was formally investigated for the charge of "obstruction of business".

5) Filipina Bea Rose Santiago is Miss International 2013

Another Filipina won an international beauty pageant this 2013 and this time it's the turn of Bea Rose Santiago who was hailed as Miss International 2013. The pageant happened at Tokyo, Japan since December 17th.

Looks like this year is proven to be a brighter sport as the Philippines snagged three beauty pageant wins; one for Megan Young as Miss World 2013 and another one for Mutya Johanna Datul as Miss Supranational 2013.

Report: http://www.pep.ph/news/41663/bea-rose-santiago-takes-the-miss-international-2013-crown

6) Nan is back in her new show!

The foul-mouth old lady, Nan, from The Catherine Tate Show returns in her very own show coming on BBC One this January 4, 2014 under the title "Catherine Tate's Nan". It's a new show but anyway, on the newest comedy series of 2014, while her grandson Jamie is away in Africa for voluntary work, a young girl called Alice has been allocated to Nan by the Young and Old Buddy-Up Foundation to keep her company and cheer her up. Don't mind her but Nan's foul language is all but total annihilation on the unsuspecting public.

Catherine Tate's Nan airs on BBC One Saturday, January 4, 2013 at 21:30.

URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01mv7r6

TTFN!!!

Miles Ocampo, IHAW NA!

On the December 16, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, the guest of the day is none other than former child star now turned teen star Miles Ocampo. Miles has been quite a favorite ever since her big break in Goin Bulilit. Life after Goin Bulilit, Miles appeared in several dramas and later, she gets another big break as schoolgirl Camille Sarmiento in the first season of Luv U, a comedy show.

In case you missed it: #BrianGriffinLives

In case you missed last night's Family Guy episode, titled Christmas Guy, great news! Brian's back for good!

Near the end of the episode, when Stewie encountered a kid that really is Stewie along with the gizmo that involves time-travel on it, he enlisted temporary pooch pal Vinnie (played by Tony Sirico) to distract him. While the other Stewie gets distracted, the real Stewie gets the portal.

Before Stewie uses this time-travelling portal to save Brian, Stewie bids farewell to Vinnie. After bidding them farewell, Stewie's off to the scene of Brian's death and when Stewie saw a car approaching to Brian, STEWIE SAVED BRIAN! Hooray!

Guess this plot twist will be a memorable one, but still, it's good to see our favorite pooch back for good!

Kia K5 Hybrid 500h

The Kia K5 Hybrid (known globally as the Optima Hybrid) gets the facelift it deserve and not only the minor change occurred for Kia's answer to the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord Hybrid but also it gets a whole new name under the banner of K5 Hybrid 500h.

Kia K5 Hybrid 500h

Again, Kia adopted a new naming for their new "ECO hybrid" lineup that goes (number goes here)-0-0-h. For the hybrid version of the K5, it's going to bear the 500h subname, same thing for the K7 Hybrid 700h I've tackled earlier.

For the newest version of the K5 Hybrid, you can see that it inherits the same minor change as its petrol equivalent that was launched earlier this year but it incorporates some signature looks for the hybrid model such as HID headlamps, LED foglamps, a choice of 16 or 17-inch alloys, revised rear lamps, and of course being a hybrid, it bears the "ECO hybrid" badge.

Kia K5 Hybrid 500h interior

Kia K5 Hybrid 500h interior

The same case of inheritance goes for the interior because not only it came from its normal petrol equivalent but it even comes with an updated software in the form of UVO 2.0. In case you're asking, UVO 2.0 is the second-generation of Kia's infotainment system which smartphone app provides a completely new level of car telematics, parked vehicle locator, and advanced vehicle relationship management free of charge. Who needs car keys when you can have a smartphone integrated to this car? A bit clever but a bit serious.

Kia K5 Hybrid 500h

You still have the same Nu 2.0 MPi engine which produces 150PS of power and 18.3kg-m of torque but the electric motor that connects it is now enhanced from the former's 30kW to the latter's 35kW. The engine connected to the electric motor and the Li-ion battery, it's up to the driver to choose whichever driving modes to see fit, whether if its running on EV only, running on normal petrol engine, or running on both. It's like having two hearts except this isn't wibbly wobbly timey wimey. This is automotive science.

And having learned their lesson from the whole Hyundai-Kia fuel economy fiasco regarding that their fuel economy figures are overstated and caused them lawsuits, the K5 Hybrid 500h has a fuel economy of 16.8km/L combined. It maybe just a major drop from its former glory but hey, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, right? But still, it's not as fuel efficient as the Toyota Camry or the Honda Accord Hybrid.

As for the weight, the K5 Hybrid 500h weighs at around 1570kg, meaning that's just a few kilos heavier than the Toyota Camry but about a hundred less than the Honda Accord Hybrid, theoretically.

Because the suspension has some McPherson struts in the front and multilink at the back, the K5 Hybrid 500h feels more clever and serious as any other cars using this kind of suspension setup. Yes, there are some multilink cleverness going on around here making it a good effort all round, well that's a theory.

The K5 Hybrid 500h starts at 30,360,000 Korean Won for the base Luxury model up to 33,530,000 Korean Won for the top-of-the-line Noblesse model. Available colors are Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Aluminum Silver, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K7 Hybrid 700h

Back in Autumn 2009, the Kia K7 spearheaded the K-Series line of saloons and in case they forgot about it, the "K" letter stands for Kia Motors, the automaker's birthplace: Korea, the English word: kinetic, the Greek word: Kratos, and so on, relating to the letter K. With last year's facelift took place, it only takes a matter of time before Kia Motors introduced a new twist to the K7 premium saloon.

2014 Kia K7 Hybrid 700h

They now introduced the hybrid version of the K7/Cadenza under the banner "K7 Hybrid 700h" and it seems that they're going to outdo with the numbers because starting with this and alongside the K5 Hybrid 500h, which I'll be tackling on later after this, Kia adopted a new naming for their hybrid lineup that goes (number goes here)-0-0-h. This is a K7, right? So for the hybrid version, it's going to bear the 700h subname.

2014 Kia K7 Hybrid 700h

Kia Eco hybrid badge

To make sure deaf people don't mistake the K7 Hybrid 700h for an ordinary K7, the exterior looks nearly identical to the normal model except that now it has blue highlightings on the signature Tiger Nose grille, blue highlights on the projection headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps, 17-inch alloys, and an "ECO hybrid" badge; two on the side view and one at the rear view.

2014 Kia K7 Hybrid 700h

On the inside, it's pretty much identical to the normal K7 because on the hybrid model, you can see the "ECO hybrid" logo on the seats, a very different dashboard with the one of the left that looks suspiciously familiar to other hybrids except this doesn't have the words Eco, Power, and Charge on it but instead it says ECO GUIDE on it. You still get the same premium amenities as the normal K7 as well as this analog clock on the dashboard which looks quintessentially classy for a show-offer.

The K7 Hybrid 700h comes with the Theta II 2.4 MPI engine, which generates in a normal 159PS of power output, is connected to a 35kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Put them together and you'll get 204PS of power while mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. As for the fuel economy, the K7 Hybrid 700h gets a moderate 16.0kmpl combined and CO2 emission of 106g/km. I know, it looks somewhat familiar to what you get from the newer Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid but be warned; the K7 Hybrid 700h weighs at around 1690kg, 10kg more than the Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid.

The K7 Hybrid 700h starts at 35,830,000KRW and available colors are Snow White Pearl, Aluminum Silver, Bright Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Platinum Graphite, and Satin Metal.

Photo: Kia Motors

Hyundai Grandeur/Azera Hybrid

2014 Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid

2014 Hyundai Grandeur Hybrid

Since its launch in January 2011, the 5G Grandeur is a step further for Hyundai's luxury premium FWD saloon car that sometimes doesn't fare well against the competition. Now, Hyundai wants to make the Grandeur or Azera even more economical and more...silent by unveiling the first ever Grandeur Hybrid.

You get the same premium amenities as the normal petrol version but for the hybrid, the Theta II 2.4 MPI engine, which generates in a normal 159PS of power output, is connected to a 35kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Put these together and the total output is a healthy 204PS of power, making it a bit less of a city-car class, more of a high-performance car class. Unlike most hybrids that do come with the dull CVT gearbox like for instance, the Toyota Crown or the Lexus IS or the Toyota Camry, this hybrid version of the Grandeur/Azera is mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Not quite as sporty as it seems but still it's worth responsive than a CVT-mated hybrid however, in terms of fuel economy, the Grandeur Hybrid gets a moderate 16.0km/L. That's about less than its rivals from Toyota but still, it's more fuel efficient than its petrol equivalents.

The new Grandeur Hybrid starts at 34,600,000 KRW and it's available at four different colors; White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Black Diamond, and Aquamarine.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Gran Turismo 6: The Jaguar XKR-S and the Nissan GT-R

For several years, Jaguar had a long reputation of making comfortable, good-looking saloons only the posh would salivate for but for this Jaguar I tried on Gran Turismo 6, speed is the focus of the game.



This must be the new Jaguar XKR-S, the most powerful production sports car Jaguar has ever made. First of all, the aluminum quad-cam 5.0L AJ-V8 supercharged engine has been recalibrated to produce 542HP of power and 501.2ft-lb of torque. Yummy...

It can do 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of over 300kph, making this the only Jaguar that has been permitted to the elite club of 300kph sportscar. As a matter of fact, that's almost as near as what most Ferraris do, meaning that's on the edge of Ferrari territory.

Then, there's the exhaust note and because of its supercharged V8 engine, it sounds like an American muscle car. So lairy, so crazy, and overall...Oh dear! I like a European V8 sportscar!





Despite sounding like a muscle car, the XKR-S still behaves like a sportscar because of its hard suspension, adaptive dynamics, and the active differential which is programmed to alter slip ratios, differential torque distribution, and intervention levels, letting drivers push this car to the absolute limits. It's all science and maths but still the Jaguar XKR-S is no GCSE or some physics lessons. It feels like it puts the fizz into physics and this car that Jaguar does what nitro does for glycerin.

No wonder some Brainiacs could recite the promo video of the car. Ahem..."This isn't about image. This design is driven by geometry and physics". Oh Benedict Cumberbatch....





To make sure people don't mistake the S for the ordinary XKR, it comes with a carbon rear spoiler, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather that looks like carbon fiber, sports seats, blue ambient lighting, and some added aerodynamics. What annoys me is the red brake calipers because it looks inappropriate for a Jag like this. Aside from the added aerodynamics, the XKR-S looks a bit of a show-off to me. It can be a sportscar but it feels so overrated to me.





I know, I love driving this Jaguar just a bit longer but when it gets too much for me, the XKR-S seems a bit more of an overrated rather than an underrated when it comes to being a show-off car. You can enjoy it a little longer but not at all because there are times you're going to fed up with this car unless if its necessary. Even though it's still overrated, I'm still liking to the XKR-S grit because this is still the Jag I love to drive on Gran Turismo 6.



With the XKR-S, it seems that Jaguar has sacrificed most of its subtlety and good looks in the pursuit of speed but if it's speed, I wonder, how come you're not interested over...the Nissan GT-R?



For years, the flagship of Nissan, the GT-R, had gone through several revisions to make it into the completed piece you see now. Legend has it that this Japanese supercar can outrun numerous sportscars even those that are five times the price such as the Lexus LFA, the Mercedes SLS, or the Ferrari 458. With the GT-R scored numerous awards and the recognition of being the perfect machine, its success prompted Nissan to begin development on the next generation platform but its high hopes can't be contained in the middle of a race.



Sure, I might tell you about how it's made on the hermetically-sealed factory and all of the components are heated to the same temperature before assembly so they're in the same state of thermal expansion and how the tires are filled with nitrogen because it's more stable than air and how it went round the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 20 seconds but I'm not gonna do that even though I just did.



What I'm gonna do here is doing drag race at a quarter mile straight of the Ascari Race Resort. Anyone familiar with what I just did to these two should better sit comfortably because what I did is simple. Even though the XKR-S has a few more power than the GT-R, the GT-R not only leave the XKR-S to dust, it demolished it.



There is this weird theory about how did the GT-R managed to get off the line quickly and probably because of the Launch Control feature, a feature in a form of a computer that sorts everything out for you so when you plant your foot out, it sets off in a perfect line. Clever but unintelligentable for a Brainiac who wishes to use it. Some say, a Brainiac would have a launch control by himself.



But still, it's a great car. I'm still loving this Japanese supercar a lot. The double-clutch gearbox works seamlessly, the VR38DETT engine is not an engine, it's just like putting ammonal in a gas cooker and then explodes when introduced to a toy robot holding a blow torch, the turning's not so bad, and overall, when you want to let loose in this car, the grip is mind-boggling.



It really is the perfect blend of technological and mechanical engineering. It truly is the best of both worlds and for Brainiacs playing GT6, it's still worth a white-knuckle ride if they're looking for thrills out of this car that always defy the laws of physics.





Despite everything, the GT-R still behaves like a proper saloon. Quiet and comfortable but not at all because it makes the noise that most racing machines produce but they're subdued in the background.



It's hard to fault this car because while the XKR-S was just a brogue that was converted into a training shoe, the GT-R was designed to be a training shoe in the first place for a much less. The GT-R is the ultimate instrument of speed while the XKR-S left me question why would Jaguar want to mimic the hardcore progress that Aston Martin has not to mention they have their own testing facility at the Nurburgring.

Still, with the GT-R, you'll get the impression that this car is very clever but a bit serious. If you have one of these, go out and see if NISSAN's ultimate masterpiece still has the potential to rack up the points!