The big scoop today...
- As the Malaysian Grand Prix of the 2014 Formula One season draws near, it seems the headlines are made before the race as members of the Scuderia Ferrari team booked themselves a stay at Kuala Lumpur's Cyberview Hotel, which in fact where relatives of the people remained missing in the Flight MH370 were staying. Because of the bookings filled, the relatives of the MH370 passengers were forced to leave. That's not right...
- The Hollywood version of The Grudge horror movie gets an update courtesy of producer Sam Raimi.
- It appears that Crimea's new Attorney General, Natalia Poklonskaya, gets a high liking from the Japanese people.
- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Disney announced that The Incredibles sequel and a third Cars movie are in the works.
- Packages of condoms filled with drugs were intercepted by German customs officials.
- Senator Ralph Recto wants names and photos of the Philippines' most wanted criminals posted on social media.
- During the search for the Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, a Chinese jet spotted floating "white objects". Could this be the debris from the missing MH370?
- A South-Korea bound Malaysian Airlines flight was diverted due to electrical failures.
- The family of embattled PMA cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia consider bringing his case to the Supreme Court.
TTFN!!!
Monday, March 24, 2014
Hyundai Sonata LF
The first Hyundai Sonata was launched in South Korea since November 1985 and next year, the Sonata's age will be reaching 30 years old. No wonder this is one of Korea's longest models in history and while we're still waiting for the Hyundai Sonata to reach its 30th year in 2015, looks like they got themselves a head-start by launching the latest seventh-generation of one of Korea's oldest car names.
Well, the front view maybe more of a Subaru Legacy facsimile but the seventh-generation Sonata (LF) incorporates the carmaker's new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 first applied to last year's Genesis. This is by no means one of the most attractive saloons in its class or that's the theory because being a Korean, it's going to take a stiff competition against medium saloons from Europe, America, and Japan.
The new Sonata kinda focuses on four terms; RUN. TURN, STOP, and PROTECT. RUN refers to the engine choices, TURN refers to the handling characteristics although this new model now comes with some multilink cleverness, STOP and PROTECT refers to the safety features. Well, you get the idea but let's explain more about the new seventh-generation model from the bare essentials.
This new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design on the new Sonata takes a step further on how it looks and since it was Peter Schreyer's order, since he's now in charge of being the CEO of Hyundai Motor Group, the new boss wanted the new Sonata to be more of a facsimile to some European cars it will face and judging by the looks of it, this new model managed to pull it off in all of the right corners.
On the interior, the new Sonata is festooned with technology you might expect from a high-end business saloons and if you belong to the yuppie generation, this car might suit your style because not only you can feel comfortable on the driver's seat but you can get a bit spoiled on the infotainment system. Let's hope you're not a senior driver because you can find infotainment systems a bit to problematic in your kind of age.
At launch, the new, seventh-generation, LF Sonata carries on two petrol engines from the previous YF model such as the 2.0 Nu CVVL engine and the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine. First, the 2.0L CVVL engine produces about 168PS of power output, 201Nm of torque, and more importantly, combined fuel economy of 12.1km/L. Then, the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine develops a shy 193PS of power, 247Nm of torque, and 11.5km/L of fuel consumption. Although those fuel economy stats are stated by the manufacturer, your actual driving range can vary.
Both the 2.0L and the 2.4L GDi variants are mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Well, that's for the RUN statement of the Sonata but what about the statement of TURN?
In the handling stakes, the new Sonata comes with the multilink suspension setup so theoretically, the new model can handle like a European medium sedan and I am quite humbled by the result of what Hyundai did to keep up against their opposition. Once more, it even comes with Adaptive Shock Dampers to make the car more comfortable to drive in the bends. Couple that with the Vehicle Stability Management and the Vehicle Dynamics Control and you got yourself a well-civilized midsize saloon that is as sensible as reading a book on Korean culture.
In the case of STOP and PROTECT, the new Sonata has been loaded with some optional safety features including the Forward Collision Warning System, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Blind Spot Detection, and not to mention the Advanced Smart Parking Assist System where you can let the parking all by itself when it spots a vacant parking space. Useful if you are in a last minute to change your clothes for a big day.
Even though the new Sonata comes with seven airbags, there's one thing you will notice and nope, not from where you're seeing at, there's an additional airbag under the steering wheel! How did they added an airbag under the steering wheel? Well, isn't that witchcraft? I don't know but it's all in the name of PROTECT for the new Sonata.
The pricing starts at around 22,550,000 KRW (estimate $21,000) for the entry-level model with the 2.0L Nu CVVL engine while the top-end model with the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine is priced at 29,900,000 KRW (estimated $28,000) so it's a smart buy for the buck.
Available Colors: Ice White, Platinum Silver, Polished Metal, Remington Red, Coast Blue, Night Sky, Phantom Black.
Photo: Hyundai Motor Company
.jpg) |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata |
Well, the front view maybe more of a Subaru Legacy facsimile but the seventh-generation Sonata (LF) incorporates the carmaker's new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 first applied to last year's Genesis. This is by no means one of the most attractive saloons in its class or that's the theory because being a Korean, it's going to take a stiff competition against medium saloons from Europe, America, and Japan.
The new Sonata kinda focuses on four terms; RUN. TURN, STOP, and PROTECT. RUN refers to the engine choices, TURN refers to the handling characteristics although this new model now comes with some multilink cleverness, STOP and PROTECT refers to the safety features. Well, you get the idea but let's explain more about the new seventh-generation model from the bare essentials.
 |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata |
.jpg) |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata interior |
On the interior, the new Sonata is festooned with technology you might expect from a high-end business saloons and if you belong to the yuppie generation, this car might suit your style because not only you can feel comfortable on the driver's seat but you can get a bit spoiled on the infotainment system. Let's hope you're not a senior driver because you can find infotainment systems a bit to problematic in your kind of age.
At launch, the new, seventh-generation, LF Sonata carries on two petrol engines from the previous YF model such as the 2.0 Nu CVVL engine and the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine. First, the 2.0L CVVL engine produces about 168PS of power output, 201Nm of torque, and more importantly, combined fuel economy of 12.1km/L. Then, the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine develops a shy 193PS of power, 247Nm of torque, and 11.5km/L of fuel consumption. Although those fuel economy stats are stated by the manufacturer, your actual driving range can vary.
Both the 2.0L and the 2.4L GDi variants are mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Well, that's for the RUN statement of the Sonata but what about the statement of TURN?
In the handling stakes, the new Sonata comes with the multilink suspension setup so theoretically, the new model can handle like a European medium sedan and I am quite humbled by the result of what Hyundai did to keep up against their opposition. Once more, it even comes with Adaptive Shock Dampers to make the car more comfortable to drive in the bends. Couple that with the Vehicle Stability Management and the Vehicle Dynamics Control and you got yourself a well-civilized midsize saloon that is as sensible as reading a book on Korean culture.
.jpg) |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata |
Even though the new Sonata comes with seven airbags, there's one thing you will notice and nope, not from where you're seeing at, there's an additional airbag under the steering wheel! How did they added an airbag under the steering wheel? Well, isn't that witchcraft? I don't know but it's all in the name of PROTECT for the new Sonata.
The pricing starts at around 22,550,000 KRW (estimate $21,000) for the entry-level model with the 2.0L Nu CVVL engine while the top-end model with the 2.4L Theta II GDi engine is priced at 29,900,000 KRW (estimated $28,000) so it's a smart buy for the buck.
Available Colors: Ice White, Platinum Silver, Polished Metal, Remington Red, Coast Blue, Night Sky, Phantom Black.
Photo: Hyundai Motor Company
Forza Motorsport 5: MINI - When you've got nothing to prove...
This is what every purists will say that this is a proper Mini Cooper. It's an original Mini Cooper, the one made in the UK and the one Sir Alec Issigonis gave birth to it since the 1950's. Despite being known to be the car targeted for the housewives, this boxy classic was been a proper track weapon and its involvement in the world of motorsports can't be outlooked in the middle of the race. For a small but mighty compact, the classic Mini Cooper is definitely a favorite among Forza fans everywhere because not only it was recognized as Mr. Bean's car but it had a starring role in the original Italian Job. Well, there's more to it than that, am I right?
Most big boys always go for big fancy sportscars to make up for their personal shortcomings but what if you got nothing to prove to the big boys? What do you got in front of them? Well, yes, you got yourself a Mini and you felt that you've been embarrassed in front of the big boys but when it comes to the cornering stakes, you know that the Mini does well than the big boys. It goes to show that might can be light and that Mini really toppled the convention where size matters. It's much more fun to drive than what any other big sports car do and in the end, looks like they had the last laugh now...
When you've got nothing to prove, the classic Mini Cooper S is here to help. It maybe small in size but it's one of the most enjoyable vintage classics to drive in Forza Motorsport 5.
Wow Mali Pa Rin! - 3/23/2014
On the March 23, 2014 episode of Wow Mali Pa Rin!
- BOY EPAL - This guy's ruining your conversations...even when he's not talking on you!
- MAGIC LAMAY - Is the coffin of a once-died magician (?)...make you hypnotized?
- In this week's JOEY'S ANGELS, we see if a blind guy gets an eye candy out of a babe...and puts the blame on other people.
- In this week's ANAK NG FU, Mr. Fu issues a challenge to those two men to see if they can score the most "holding hands while WOW MALI!"
- In this week's KRISSY IDEAS, Krissy teaches us how to pull the "balloon cake" prank on anyone's birthday party!
- BALLOON CAKE - Time for a slice of POP! In your face!
- GHOST 'TO MO BANG MATAKOT? - As tradition has it, Wow Mali still gets some scare tactics on unexpected people...
- SINO SHOCK? - A fun-ruining clown ruins a good party...until he literally ruined the party!
- BOY EPAL - This guy's ruining your conversations...even when he's not talking on you!
- MAGIC LAMAY - Is the coffin of a once-died magician (?)...make you hypnotized?
- In this week's JOEY'S ANGELS, we see if a blind guy gets an eye candy out of a babe...and puts the blame on other people.
- In this week's ANAK NG FU, Mr. Fu issues a challenge to those two men to see if they can score the most "holding hands while WOW MALI!"
- In this week's KRISSY IDEAS, Krissy teaches us how to pull the "balloon cake" prank on anyone's birthday party!
- BALLOON CAKE - Time for a slice of POP! In your face!
- GHOST 'TO MO BANG MATAKOT? - As tradition has it, Wow Mali still gets some scare tactics on unexpected people...
 |
| Why did you do that to me! |
- SINO SHOCK? - A fun-ruining clown ruins a good party...until he literally ruined the party!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Gran Turismo 6: Timeless Classic Icons
The Mini Cooper, the VW Beetle, and the Fiat 500, classic icons that changed the automotive world through the years and now, it's time to find out which of these three timeless classic icons is the most iconic.
The place? Brands Hatch. The layout? The short Indy Circuit. The rule? Fastest time wins.
The Mini Cooper is a product of Sir Alec Issigonis and remains a purists' favorite over the Germanized modern Mini while the classic VW Beetle is the worldwide phenomenon that gave Volkswagen the reputation of being the "people's car" and the Fiat 500 is...well, it's one of Italy's contribution to the world. Mr. Bean drives a Mini, the Beetle is Herbie the Love Bug, and Lupin the Third drove a Fiat 500. They're all part of the pop culture craze but still, this is a GT6 science experiment and we're finding out whose the most iconic.
Although the Mini has the highest power of the three, it's heavier than the Fiat 500 but lighter than the Beetle, so it's a well-balanced classic city car that not only it looks good on the city streets but it's a good track-day car because the classic Mini has a racing pedigree. From the racetrack to the dirttrack, the Mini is always the David that trumps all the Goliaths in the motorsports history. The Fiat 500 may have a very low output but because it weighs over 500kg, you can find this car to be more maneuverable and more enjoyable to turn thanks to its lightweight bodywork. The Beetle though...it maybe the best of both worlds but even though it has more power than the old 500, it's heavier than the old 500.
After a lap round the Brands Hatch, here come the results...
1:06.219 - MINI
1:15.592 - Beetle
1:22.898 - 500
It's proven that the original and British-made classic Mini Cooper is by no means the most iconic of the three timeless classic due to its motorsports pedigree and a very high popularity among car enthusiasts and historians. Maybe that's why most purists prefer this more than the modern Mini that is made by BMW.
What's in our Car Town garage today? (March 23, 2014)
What's in our Car Town garage today?
1996 McLaren F1 LM
The LM version pushes the McLaren F1 to the very edge of its life and it's inspired by the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. It maybe a road-legal version of the GTR racer, the F1 LM features the same 6.1L BMW V12 engine but with reduced weight so that the top speed is 225mph. Only five units were sold, each costs over 4 million US Dollars.
1996 McLaren F1 LM
The LM version pushes the McLaren F1 to the very edge of its life and it's inspired by the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. It maybe a road-legal version of the GTR racer, the F1 LM features the same 6.1L BMW V12 engine but with reduced weight so that the top speed is 225mph. Only five units were sold, each costs over 4 million US Dollars.
 |
| 1996 McLaren F1 LM |
1984 Ferrari Testarossa
Still one of the most iconic exotics in the past century, the Testarossa is notable for featuring a boxer-12 engine that was carried from the Berlinetta Boxer. The Colombo boxer-12 engine rigged to the middle produces 396PS of power and can do 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds. Top speed is about 290kph. Apart from its high-performance output, the Testarossa is still one of the sexiest cars ever to be designed by Pininfarina.
 |
| 1984 Ferrari Testarossa |
1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
In its time, the Thunderbird from Ford is the best in class where the Buick Riviera and and Pontiac Grand Prix was positioned at and for this fourth-generation model, this Thunderbird tries to stay classy in its class. Available as a coupe and a convertible, it's available in either a 6.4L V8 or a 7.0L V8 with different flavors. Legend has it, it was the car of choice for Duncan Macleod in the Highlander TV series.
 |
| 1965 Ford Thunderbird Convertible |
The New MINI (F56)
Once upon a time in 1959, the Mini compact was born and the design penned by Sir Alec Issigonis is a timeless masterpiece. Everyone loves this because of its timeless looks and compact sizing as well as its athletic characteristics. Fast forward to present day and Mini has been evolved into the piece you see it now. When BMW took over the responsibilities for the new Mini, the modern remake shares nothing from the old Mini Cooper. Now that it reached the third-generation model, codenamed F56, the New Mini is less of a Mini, more of a...Wumbo. If you don't know what in the word is Wumbo, well go ask Patrick from SpongeBob. You know? I wumbo...you wumbo...he, she, me wumbo...wumbo...wumboing...wumbology! The study of wumbo! That's first grade!
At first glance, you might think that this latest Mini is a bit more of a facelift but YOU ARE WRONG. VERY WRONG because everything's brand new from every nook and cranny...well almost because that's the way the Mini looks like through the years but anyway, since the new model is now bigger than the last model, perhaps the engineers from BMW had a degree of wumbology and again, such size should no longer be called a Mini anymore and it should have been called Wumbo. Uhh...did they set it to wumbo?
Apart from being a wumbo on the sizing department, looks like wumbo gets a new interior and for some purists, it seems all wrong because the new model's speedometer is now on the driver's side rather than being on a center like most Minis had through the years. They're not very pleased by this because the center console where the speedo used to be is now been occupied by the radio or sat-nav depending on the variant. If the new layout on the dashboard doesn't bother if you're more of a casual type of person, there's a lot of explanation to do once you're inside the new Mini because even though the dashboard's feel all wrong, the seats are all nice and friendly and because this car is bigger than the old one, you can really fit your mates especially at the back but as a warning, you can't bring your big momma to the back because. well that's the reason why is their a big momma in the scenario, she can't squeeze herself in.
So, what about the way it behaves? Well, even though a wumbo in the dimensions stake, the new Mini is still quite an enjoyable car to drive if you're free and even in the high-end Cooper S model, loaded with the 2.0L petrol engine producing 192PS of power and 300Nm of torque, you really can't tell. The entry-level One comes with either a 1.3L petrol or a 1.5L diesel engine while the normal Mini Cooper comes with either s 1.5L petrol engine or a 1.5L diesel engine. All of those engines are turbocharged but whichever variant you chose, the Mini is still as casual as a modern Fiat 500 or a modern VW Beetle. Those modern remakes of all-time classics may not be more sensible for the purists but I think they can still take the time and the effort to join the club if you had admission.
Back to the Cooper S model of the Mini, this car, in its manual gearbox configuration, can do 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and flatout in 235kph. That's quite impressive if you're going to outrun a wheelchair rigged with fire extinguishers and with the combined fuel economy of about 17.5km/L (5.7L/100km), it's still a frugal car as well. I am humbled by the way this new Mini behaves judging by the way it behaves like a hot hatch and how it still got its charisma retained from the last model.
Price-wise and since this is a BMW-made machine, I'd expect this to be quite an expensive hatchback...but I was wrong-ish. The base One starts at 17,450 Euros up to 23,800 Euros for the Cooper S model. It's a smart buy for casual drivers but it's not quite as reasonably-priced as the Beetle or the 500.
In conclusion; the new Mini maybe more of a Wumbo and the interior looks a bit all wrong judging by the trademark Mini center speedo is gone and the speedo is now centered on the driver's side rather than the center because this is where the radio is now located at, it's still worth a humble machine that will make you feel humbled at the end of the day. Thanks to the new turbocharged engine and the new UKL1 platform, the new Mini is still a game-changing city car that truly lives in the Mini tradition of NOT NORMAL. This is the NEW NORMAL, after all.
Photo: MINI
 |
| 2015 Mini hatch |
At first glance, you might think that this latest Mini is a bit more of a facelift but YOU ARE WRONG. VERY WRONG because everything's brand new from every nook and cranny...well almost because that's the way the Mini looks like through the years but anyway, since the new model is now bigger than the last model, perhaps the engineers from BMW had a degree of wumbology and again, such size should no longer be called a Mini anymore and it should have been called Wumbo. Uhh...did they set it to wumbo?
.png) |
| 2015 Mini hatch interior |
.png) |
| 2015 Mini hatch interior |
Apart from being a wumbo on the sizing department, looks like wumbo gets a new interior and for some purists, it seems all wrong because the new model's speedometer is now on the driver's side rather than being on a center like most Minis had through the years. They're not very pleased by this because the center console where the speedo used to be is now been occupied by the radio or sat-nav depending on the variant. If the new layout on the dashboard doesn't bother if you're more of a casual type of person, there's a lot of explanation to do once you're inside the new Mini because even though the dashboard's feel all wrong, the seats are all nice and friendly and because this car is bigger than the old one, you can really fit your mates especially at the back but as a warning, you can't bring your big momma to the back because. well that's the reason why is their a big momma in the scenario, she can't squeeze herself in.
So, what about the way it behaves? Well, even though a wumbo in the dimensions stake, the new Mini is still quite an enjoyable car to drive if you're free and even in the high-end Cooper S model, loaded with the 2.0L petrol engine producing 192PS of power and 300Nm of torque, you really can't tell. The entry-level One comes with either a 1.3L petrol or a 1.5L diesel engine while the normal Mini Cooper comes with either s 1.5L petrol engine or a 1.5L diesel engine. All of those engines are turbocharged but whichever variant you chose, the Mini is still as casual as a modern Fiat 500 or a modern VW Beetle. Those modern remakes of all-time classics may not be more sensible for the purists but I think they can still take the time and the effort to join the club if you had admission.
.png) |
| 2015 Mini hatch |
Back to the Cooper S model of the Mini, this car, in its manual gearbox configuration, can do 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and flatout in 235kph. That's quite impressive if you're going to outrun a wheelchair rigged with fire extinguishers and with the combined fuel economy of about 17.5km/L (5.7L/100km), it's still a frugal car as well. I am humbled by the way this new Mini behaves judging by the way it behaves like a hot hatch and how it still got its charisma retained from the last model.
Price-wise and since this is a BMW-made machine, I'd expect this to be quite an expensive hatchback...but I was wrong-ish. The base One starts at 17,450 Euros up to 23,800 Euros for the Cooper S model. It's a smart buy for casual drivers but it's not quite as reasonably-priced as the Beetle or the 500.
In conclusion; the new Mini maybe more of a Wumbo and the interior looks a bit all wrong judging by the trademark Mini center speedo is gone and the speedo is now centered on the driver's side rather than the center because this is where the radio is now located at, it's still worth a humble machine that will make you feel humbled at the end of the day. Thanks to the new turbocharged engine and the new UKL1 platform, the new Mini is still a game-changing city car that truly lives in the Mini tradition of NOT NORMAL. This is the NEW NORMAL, after all.
Photo: MINI
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