Forza Motorsport 5: Battle Italia

The Lamborghini Aventador - the latest flagship V12 Lambo. Served as the replacement to the decade-old Murcielago, powered by a newly-developed 6.5L V12 engine, and remains one of the most popular exotics at this modern age.



The Ferrari F12berlinetta - the latest flagship V12 Ferrari. Launched at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, lapped quicker than the 599 GTO at Fiorano, and powered by a 6.3L V12 engine that has more power than the Lamborghini Aventador.



Here in the world of Forza Motorsport 5, the battle between the two Italian flagships are finally come into fruition, figuring out if horses or bulls will win the fight for Italian sovereignty...sort of. Today, which is better? The bull or the horse?

The Lamborghini Aventador has four-wheel drive and has a 6.5L V12 engine mounted in the middle. The Ferrari F12 has rear-wheel drive and has a 6.3L V12 engine mounted in the front. The Aventador has a single-clutch seven-speed gearbox operated by paddle shifters. The Ferrari F12 comes with a Formula One 7-speed double clutch gearbox operated by paddle shifters. The Aventador can reach to 60mph in 2.9 seconds. The F12 can reach it in under 3.1 seconds. Top speed for the Aventador is 217mph while the F12 gives up the ghost in 210mph.




Enough for the jibber-jabber, time to translate numbers into action by sending them to the Top Gear Test Track. Fastest time is the winner.


Even though it has 4WD and with the engine placed in the middle, the Aventador can suffer from minor understeer and it's like knitting the carrot at the middle of the blanket. The F12 finds less mistakes in the corner and it doesn't understeer than the Aventador, although its dynamic character might cause a fair hint of oversteer and one small mistake can cause a big one.

After a quick lap at the Top Gear Track, here are the results of this experiment;

1:18.240 - LP700-4
1:20.608 - F12

So, conclusive proof that even when the Aventador has less power than the F12, it still leaves it to dust thanks to the clever suspension, 4WD, and lighter weight not to mention the good use of its aerodynamic design. Well, I'm glad I cleared that up so the winner in this comparo is...the Lamborghini LP700-4.

Mitsuoka ends the Orochi with the "Final Orochi"

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi

The Mitsuoka Orochi. While it may not be the prettiest sportscar to look at, it's a product of an unsung car company called Mitsuoka. While the body and the chassis is a Mitsuoka original, the 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 engine was sourced from Toyota and mounted at the middle while mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. Of course, you maybe familiar as the car James May drove on an episode of Top Gear a few seasons ago.

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi

Mitsuoka announced that the production of the super-hideous Orochi sportscar ends this September 2014 and to finish it off, they offered the Final Orochi, a final model that features...well, about the same as the Orochi except with a bigger price tag.

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi interior

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi interior

Because it's limited to five units, three final Orochis are colored in Gold Pearl while two are painted in a purplish color called Fuyoru-oh (不夜王). It features an exclusive emblem, 19-inch aluminum wheel, and some exclusive interior combinations depending on the color.

No alterations on the spec here. Still comes with the same 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 engine which churns out 233PS of power and 328Nm of torque while mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. It has rack and pinion steering, double wishbone suspension, ventilated disc brakes, on and on and on and on...

The Final Orochi is priced at an ultra-expensive 12,700,000 Japanese Yen (estimated $127,000) and like I said, only five units are made.

URL: http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/lineup/new/finalorochi/
Source: http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=359887&lindID=4

Third-Generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris Minor Change

2015 Toyota Vitz

It's the new Toyota Vitz (Yaris)! Sort of. The latest minor change for the third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris brings a keen look to Toyota's compact hatchback which, in this third-generation, has been with us four years ago since its December 2010 debut, and even though it has a new Auris-styled nose as well as an updated exterior and a slightly updated interior, this minor change feels as fresh as a tangerine on a sunrise.

2015 Toyota Vitz interior

Like the pre-facelift, the 2015 Vitz/Yaris still offers three petrol engine configurations ranging from a 1.0L, 1.3L, and the 1.5L engine but for the 2015 model year, the biggest change is the addition of a brand new 1NR-FKE engine.

1NR-FKE

What is 1NR-FKE? This brand new 1.3L engine 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.

With this brand new engine, the fuel economy is now 25.0km/L, as calculated by JC08 Mode standards, which is 15% more than the old 1.3L engine and it's more fuel efficient than the 1.0L petrol engine, which provides 24.0km/L when paired with Smart Stop technology, as well. Well, I'm glad we cleared that up.

2015 Toyota Vitz

2015 Toyota Vitz

2015 Toyota Vitz

The new model is now priced from 1,155,600 to 1,994,073 Japanese Yen (estimated $12,000 to $20,000) and it's available in the entry level F, mid-range U, ladies-favorite Jewela and the sporty RS model. But wait...

2015 Toyota Vitz RS G's

2015 Toyota Vitz RS G's

For 2,044,145 Japanese Yen (estimated $20,450). you can opt in for a more sportier G's model and for the RS G's model, the RS model that was sporty-ish has been made even sportier with the help of some stylish aerokits, sport-tuned suspension, and a sporty dark interior that suits its sporty character.

Available colors (depending on the model): Super White II, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Black Mica, Cherry Pearl Crystal Shine, Super Red V, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Beige Mica Metallic, Copper Mica Metallic, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Brown Mica Metallic, Luminous Yellow, Jade Green Metallic, Cool Soda Metallic, and Blue Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

About the worst maritime tragedy in South Korea

It might be best to interrupt your day with one of the most shocking news that has been abuzz worldwide. It was known to be one of the worst maritime disasters ever happened in South Korea and it happened while I was in a middle of the Holy Week break in case you didn't know that.

The ferry in question, the Sewol ferry, carries about 476 passengers and six days ago, it sank off the southern coastline. As of now;

- 108 confirmed dead
- 194 missing
- 174 rescued
- 476 total passengers

What's even more shocking that there are 325 high school students were on that ferry while they were on their field trips and in response to the worst maritime disaster in South Korean history, all school field trips are banned throughout the nation.

There's even a radio transcript stating that the Sewol crew didn't know how to handle the evacuation.

South Korean president Park Geun-hye declared the cities of Jindo and Ansan as special disaster zones, stating that these cities will provide assistance from national disaster assistance programs.

Folks are criticizing the South Korean president for mishandling the situation of the Sewol search and rescue operations, even though she's opposing against the ferry's captain in question, Captain Lee Jun-seok, and his crew for "actions akin to murder". Prosecutor Lee Bong-chang told the Yonhap news agency that the captain of the Sewol ferry's causing all this by failing to slow down while taking a narrow route and making an excess turn. If found guilty, Lee Jun-seok will face 5 years to life imprisonment.

Those poor people. They can never rebuilt their lives. This maritime disaster not only is considered to be catastrophic but it breaks my heart because I was heavily concerned on those high school students who were caught in this maritime disaster. This topic is too heartbreaking to be ignored, much like the Malaysia Airlines' Flight 370 case where rescuers are busy searching for that missing jet.

F1 2014 Chinese GP

Well, there's no stopping Lewis Hamilton right now, even in China where the fourth round of the Formula One 2014 season commenced. Using his pole position as his big advantage for this Mercedes F1 team racer and after 54 laps of a battle hardened match, Hamilton even managed to scamper his third win for the season, nice and easy, leaving his teammate Nico Rosberg at 2nd place and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in 3rd. Wow, wouldn't you believe that in the age of downsized Formula One engines, this guy makes the cut in this season?

Report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/4/15753.html

So, with Hamilton took another win for this season, will he do better in Spain? Find out this May 11.

Top Gear-tuned Genesis Coupe to appear in XTM's THE BUNKER

Now, if you're an avid viewer of Top Gear Korea, you might remember this modified Genesis Coupe called the TGK 520. Tuned by the presenters themselves, the TGK 520's engine develops 520HP of power and 70kg of torque, and they only cost them over 30,000,000 KRW (estimated $29,000) to modify this Genesis Coupe.

Word from the station that brought you Top Gear Korea is that the TGK 520 will be making a special appearance on the XTM show called The Bunker. The Bunker is a show where they provide a normal car, modify it, and auction it to the highest bidder. Think Pimp My Ride meets Auction Kings because a modified car is worth a bidding from the public audience.

There's going to be a SPECIAL AUCTION in a special episode of THE BUNKER airing this April 27th at 10:50 PM Korean Standard Time.

Stars of 2014 New York Auto Show

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

The 2014 New York Auto Show is in full circle right now and visitors got until next Sunday to check out what's new in the world of automotive industry as well as next-generation car technologies built for the future ahead so...what cars to expect in this year's car show?

• 2015 Infiniti QX80
• 2015 Infiniti Q70
• 2015 Dodge Challenger F/L
• 2015 Dodge Charger F/L
• 2015 Subaru Outback
• Ford Transit Skyliner Concept
• 2015 BMW X4
• 2015 Ford Focus Electric
• 2015 Volkswagen Jetta F/L
• 2015 Acura TLX
• 2015 Nissan Murano
• 2015 Ford Focus
• 2015 BMW M4 Cabrio
• Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition
• Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0
• 2015 Chevrolet Cruze F/L
• 2015 Chevrolet Trax
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible
• 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe
• Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept

...and more.

SIDE NOTES:

- Kia revealed their new MPV which will be the replacement for the Carnival minivan. We can't tell you what that name is because of search engine reasons but it's close. We just have to wait what would the Koreans call for Kia's new flagship MPV recently revealed at the New York Auto Show.

- The QX50 has been renamed into QX80 while the Infiniti M has been renamed into Q70 in part of Nissan's luxury brand's new naming scheme. For 2015, they're both updated with refined exterior, new trims and for the Q70 flagship saloon, a long wheelbase model is offered for the first time but only petrol models will take part to the extended wheelbase model of the Q70.

- Mazda celebrates the Roadster's 25th year featuring the past, present, and the future of the Mazda Roadster.

- The Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 1964 units and it's made in honor of the Mustang's 50th birthday with its throwback looks and a commemorative plaque on the interior.

For more: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/17/we-obsessively-covered-new-york-auto-show/