Let's Do The News! (April 11, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Lexus officially revealed their NX compact crossover ahead of its premiere at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. At launch, not only it will offer the direct-injected 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid engine derived from the latest Lexus IS and the Toyota Crown but it will be the first ever Lexus to come equipped with the long-awaited 2.0L Turbo engine. This is AMAZING IN MOTION at its best...kind of...

2015 Lexus NX

- Another Bugatti Veyron Legends model was revealed ahead of this year's Beijing Auto Show and this time it's the Black Bess special, paying tribute to the legendary Type 18 Black Bess. Like all Legends models, it's based on the Grand Sport Vitesse.

Bugatti Veyron Black Bess

- The 2015 Ford Focus minor change is officially set for its New York Auto Show debut in hatchback and sedan trim.

2015 Ford Focus

- FALLERS REJOICE! Jason Ritter, the voice of Dipper from the hit TV cartoon, Gravity Falls, is on the list of the presenters of the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards!

- Twilight saga's Booboo Stewart joins the cast of the 2015 Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants, and he'll be playing the role of Jay, the son of Jafar. It's been awhile since they've announced Liv and Maddie's Dove Cameron garnered the role of Mal, the successor of Maleficent for the upcoming DCOM.

- Peugeot gets all shark-ish for Beijing with the world premiere of their Exalt Concept.

Peugeot Exalt Concept

- The Fast and the Furious gets its very own attraction at Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. Set for its 2015 opening, the same year as its seventh installment comes, this attraction will bring the whole family a FAST and FURIOUS experience unlike any other.

Fast and Furious Supercharged

- MOTORISTS BEWARE: EDSA is going to have a very heavy traffic during Holy Week.

- Embattled cyclist Lance Armstrong names team manager Johan Bruynell and other supporters to assist him on the controversial doping test. Spin.ph has this report.

- US President Barrack Obama to visit the Philippines in late April 2014.

- At least 9 people were killed in an accident where a truck crashed through a bus carrying high school students from California.

- Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, said that searchers for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 plane are confident about the position.

TTFN!!!

Toyota's new fuel-efficient engines outlined

In order to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, Toyota outlined a new range of newly-developed, fuel-efficient engines with improved thermal efficiency. Those new engines will achieve 10% of fuel consumption and they'll be used in models (possibly the Passo and the Vitz/Yaris) scheduled for minor change this year and by next year, a total of 14 new variations will be introduced to the world market.

Toyota's new 1.0L petrol engine

Toyota's new 1.3L petrol engine

Seen in the pics is the 1.0L petrol engine (above), which is co-developed by Daihatsu, that achieves a maximum thermal efficiency of 37% thanks to the use of a tumble flow-generating intake, cooled EGR system, and an improved compression ratio. Couple that with the idling stop feature and it achieves about 30% of fuel consumption.

Then, there's the new 1.3L petrol engine (below) which uses the Atkinson Cycle commonly used in their hybrid cars. With this, the new 1.3L petrol engine provides and enhanced expansion ration and reduces waste heat through a high compression ratio of 13.5:1. It can be utilized with the use of a tumble flow-generating intake, cooled EGR, and VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent Electric) technology. Couple that with the idling stop feature and about 15% of fuel consumption is improved.

Source: Toyota

Let's Do The News! (April 10, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- 2K Games announced the latest installment of the award-winning Borderlands franchise and this latest installment bridges the gap between the original and the second one. Borderlands The Pre-Sequel, due late 2014, lets players play four (familiar) characters fighting alongside Handsome Jack and witness how did he became the villain we all love to hate in the second one. This time, players are taking on a new adventure in Elpis, the moon of Pandora. Because it takes place on Elpis, expect zero-gravity fun all-round and the use of O2 is necessary to survive the zero-gravity mess on Elpis. What wouldn't be complete without the game's weaponry that you can mix and match just the way you like it? This new installment will be available late 2014 on Playstation3, XBOX 360, PC, and Mac.

- 2013's award winning Playstation3 game, The Last of Us, gets a remastered version for the new PS4. Set for its Summer 2014 release, the PS4 version of The Last of Us features all of the content ranging from the original one, the Left Behind content, Abandoned Territories multiplayer map pack and Reclaimed Territories pack.

- Looks like hit BBC shows such as Top Gear, Teletubbies, and Doctor Who, are going to be broadcasted through the North Korean airwaves according to this report. Uh-oh...

- Marussia stopped making cars while Marussia Formula One team gets new owners, according to this report.

- Yes, the railgun is almost becoming a reality! US Navy gave an inside look to their electromagnetic railgun that is set to be rigged in their warships in the next decade.

- Check out the visual for the upcoming Lupin III live-action flick as well as its outline.

- Bentley to showcase their Mulsanne Hybrid Concept at this year's Beijing Motor Show, serving as a preview to Bentley's hybrid technology that is coming in three years time.

2014 Bentley Mulsanne Hybrid Concept

- Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, Rowan Blanchard, and Sabrina Carpenter from the upcoming Disney Channel series, Girl Meets World, are on the list of the presenters for this year's Radio Disney Music Awards. Also, Austin Mahone and Jessica Sanchez are on the list as well.

- Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz opposed the recently constitutional RH Law, deeming that this law equates with abortion.

- U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg, tweeted the announcement that the Philippines has passed the compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards, earning them a Category 1 Safety Rating.

Good news! Philippines compliance with international #aviation safety oversight standards earns Category 1 Safety Rating.
— Ambassador Goldberg (@AMBGoldberg) April 10, 2014

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 5: The KTM X-BOW

The KTM X-BOW. Now this is quite an interesting addition to the list of cars you can drive in Forza Motorsport 5. This track-toy is built by an Austrian motorbike company called KTM and judging that this track toy is made in Austria, it's worth fantasizing as a muscular guy who checks on your plumbing. Who doesn't?



Like any other open-wheelers offered on Forza Motorsport 5, the X-BOW is not for the novice of the many, unless your settings are too novice for your own skill, because of its rather complicating way to throw you off the track if you're not careful but with moments of practice, enjoying the X-BOW just the way you want is no biggie. While this track toy is worthy of being a capable supercar slayer, the combination of a lightweight bodywork, sophisticated suspension setup, and the Audi 2.0L turbo engine truly delivers a mighty blow to the big guns.



Another good reason why you should love driving the KTM X-BOW in the world of Forza 5...

Toyota's 86 receives 2015 updates

Toyota's rear-wheel drive sports coupe, the 86, is now two years old since its debut in the spring of 2012 and it caused an outbreak of enthusiasts harking Toyota's return to sportscar roots and its "fun to drive" spirit.

Yes, this car is now two years old and the 86's been updated for the 2015 model year. For its 2015MY update, the ride comfort and the steering stability has been mildly improved with the use of an updated shock absorber and reduced friction.

There are two new colors available such as Crystal White Pearl and Ice Silver Metallic. The former is an optional extra.

The 2015MY 86 will be sold in all Toyota dealerships across Japan this June and it now starts at 2,056,909 Japanese Yen (estimate $21,000) for the RC entry-level model up to 3,147,709 Japanese Yen (estimate $31,450) for the top-spec GT Limited equipped with a 6-speed auto. They're all added by the recent 8% tax hike in Japan in case you missed it.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - TVR Tamora

Today, it's the TVR Tamora roadster. Although it was served as the replacement to the TVR Griffith and the Chimaera, it served as the baby of the TVR lineup. Like all TVRs, getting in and out is not very easy because...well, no doors on the inside. You just have to push the buttons on the dashboard to open it. With a 3.6L straight-6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and absolutely no driver aids, it's all about harkening back to the good old days of a true British sportscar.

The Tamora will run through the Goodwood Hill Climb but at what time will it post on a wet lap?



It posted a 0:53.855 lap time on a wet lap! Although this car, like TVR, is dead, it still sure knows how to let its TVR spirit let loose. But still, you can only drive the Tamora in the world of Gran Turismo and here on Gran Turismo 6, this is no exception. Perhaps this why I'm doing this public service against other racing games rivalling this franchise.

TVR Tamora - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Let's Do The News! (April 8, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The Supreme Court has ruled the Reproductive Health Law constitutional except for 8 provisions which are deemed unconstitutional. What are these provisions that are not part of the RH Law? Interaksyon has this report.

- The culprit behind the killing of a Filipino seaman on Honduras island has been arrested.

- Some companies owned by business conglomerate, Manny V. Pangilingan, garnered awards of excellence in different categories give by a Hong Kong-based business journal.

- As Holy Week comes next week, the NLEX, SCTEX, and Cavitex are fully prepared for the long traffic ahead of the Lenten season.

- Even though they'll shutting down their assembly lines all over Australia, Holden, the Australian brand of General Motors, vies to aim to the top spot by next decade.

- Nissan's low-cost brand, Datsun, has revealed their new budget saloon, the On-Do, in Russia.

2015 Datsun On-Do

- The Toyota FT-1 Concept is featured in the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage.



- Mazda recalls 88,000 vehicles globally due to problems with the i-ELOOP system.

- Comedian Ben Miller to guest star in Doctor Who Series 8.

- Actress Peaches Geldof died at the young age of 25. Peaches is the daughter of rocker/humanitarian Sir Bob Geldof and the late British TV host Paula Yates.

- Doctor Who wins the Shorty Industry Award for Best Brand on Tumblr! How's that for fandoms?



TTFN!!!