Third-generation Kia Carnival (YP)

2015 Kia Carnival

One of the least likable MPVs in the history gets a major regeneration and this all new Kia Carnival wants to show the other MPVs that this is the MPV-est of the MPVs. It's just in time for the summer holiday when their parents want to take their kids to some of South Korea's finest destinations, say Jeju Island or N Seoul Tower or the Changdeokgung Palace or maybe Gangnam. So, can the all new Carnival worth it of being an ideal car for the hot summer holiday in South Korea?

So...is it all new?

Well, of course. This is an all new model. ALL NEW. I capitalised it so you know that this is a totally new one rather than a minor refresh of the model that is highly forgettable for...let's just say...its age.

How is it differ from the previous generations?

The first generation, launched in 1998 was kinda more of a saloon in a minivan's body, especially it was just an old Credos II underneath it. The 2001 facelift was fine because not only it looks as Americanized as a Chrysler Town and Country but the 2.9L diesel engine has better torque than its petrol equivalents. The second generation model, launched in the summer of 2005, comes with the long wheelbase model that comes with 11-seats for the whole family and the short wheelbase model that seats 9 people.

For this new model, it truly sets apart from its predecessors because unlike those two, the new third-generation model features a more robust shape reminiscent of luxury Japanese MPVs. From its signature looks to its headlamps and to its rear design, from every angle, you can see that this new model is truly a standout from the past and it's not as bizarre as its rival, the Ssangyong Turismo.

What's it like on the inside?

2015 Kia Carnival interior

2015 Kia Carnival interior

2015 Kia Carnival interior

The new interior now employs the familiar look as seen from the K5, the K7, and the K9, and because this is an MPV on its own right, it's available in either a 9-seater or an 11-seater, if you're lucky. Either way, the new model is a fit for the whole family but the 11-seater model is highly recommended because if you have you, your wife, your kids, granny, pappy, or any one of your relatives, this variant is your best bet and because it has longer wheelbase than the previous model, it's more spacious as well. Those seats can also be folded for some luggage concerns, handy if you're carrying so many bags of stuff you spent from the grocery or other things in your hand.

What about driving?

2015 Kia Carnival

On an average day, the new model is not quite bad to drive and thanks to the use of MacPherson Struts on the front and multi-link rear suspension, it feels more European to drive. For the nine-seater model, it weighs around 2030kg, which is the same as the previous model but for the 11-seater, it adds 7kgs of weight. On the upshot is, that model weighs less than the Ssangyong Korando Turismo. It's partly thanks to the high-strength steel body that not only it feels lighter but also more rigid and more durable than the old one.

The only engine available is the same R 2.2 E-VGT diesel engine carried from the Kia Sorento SUV. Now Euro 6-compliant, this engine develops about 202PS of power and 45kg-m of torque output. Thanks to its torque output, this engine delivers a great pull from start to finish. It has a fuel economy of around 11.5km/l, which is somewhat less than the Turismo gave. It's mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, meaning that this new Carnival is the kind of MPV you would really want to relax while driving. It's not complicated to drive either and it's even more safer than ever because of the addition of new safety tech like the lateral alarm system, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning System, Forward Collision Warning System, and the new active hood lift system.

Active hood lift system?

Yes. That's a new feature. It was made, what Kia Motors states, to decrease head injury during pedestrian collision. Composing of sensors, ECU, and pyro-type actuators, this system lifts the rear part of the hood up to 120mm.

Should I buy one?

2015 Kia Carnival

The new model actually costs 27,200,000 Korean Won (around $27,200) up to 36,300,000 Korean Won (around $36,300). In theory, this is kinda more expensive than the Ssangyong Korando Turismo but who knows, if they don't like the Turismo for its looks, they could just rush to their nearest Kia dealerships to buy one.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Bright Silver, Powder Blue, Black Berry, Platinum Graphite, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Let's Do The News! (June 23, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The list of movies for the 2014 MMFF has been officially announced by the committee and the names of those movies armed for the 25th of December, 2014, are;

1) Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2
2) Feng Shui 2
3) Praybeyt Benjamin 2
4) My Big Bossing's Adventures Trilogy
5) Shake Rattle and Roll 15
6) Bonifacio? Gusto mo ba siyang makilala?
7) English Only Please
8) Magnum Muslim 375

Please take not that names are not yet final...

- SEAT unveiled their sport utility wagon based on the Leon ST, called the Leon X-Perience.

Seat Leon X-Perience

- Pope Francis prohibits Mafia members to the church.

- Seat mulls a more hardcore version of their latest Leon Cupra to take on the Nurburgring record stole from the Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R.

- After most of the Justice League members got their own movies (for Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern) while some got TV series (like Arrow); the only member that stands in their way is Wonder Woman. Reports told that everyone's favorite DC Comics heroine will spawn a movie due three years later.

- The longest-running Japanese RPG series, as named by the Guinness World Records, is the Dragon Quest franchise!

- On this week's Jay Leno's Garage, the highly memorable De Tomaso Pantera is featured. Come on, you know you wanted to...


- SOUND THE OCTO-ALERT! The Octonauts are having their first LIVE stage show called "The Octonauts and the Deep See Volcano Adventure". In this live stage adventure, the Octonauts are exploring on their new underwater quest for more surprises. It opens on the UK in Autumn 2014 and will run tours next year. Excited to see Capt. Barnacles, Kwazii, and Peso on stage? Creature report! Creature report!

- Meanwhile in USA: Just before Season 5 kicks in, Hyundai USA unveiled a special Tucson Walking Dead edition made by fans for fans of the hit survival horror drama series.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 5: Frozen Face-off

The Ferrari FF; Ferrari's first 4WD shooting brake. Once crossed a corner full of wee where the 458 spun off, and then raced at the snow with The Stig behind the wheel. The Continental GT Speed; a decade-old beauty from Bentley. Once had Captain Slow and Kris Meeke crossed through a rally course with this machine. Yes, these four-wheel drive machines are now facing off against each other in a so-called Frozen Face-off...minus the Frozen part because we're not in a cold area. No no no... Because this is Forza so let's compare these two!

Part of The Bondurant Car Pack is the new Bentley Continental GT Speed. The Speed is the flagship of the new Bentley Continental GT and it is essentially the most powerful version of the said car. The 6.0L twin-turbo W12 engine has been upgraded so it develops 625PS of power output, 50PS more than the standard model, with 800Nm of torque while mated with a new ZF eight-speed close-ratio automatic gearbox  and engine management system. It can do 0-60mph in four seconds and a top speed of 205mph.

And then, part of The Smoking Tire Car Pack is the Ferrari FF. Premiered at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, it is the first ever four-seater 4WD shooting brake made by Ferrari. Although it is a 4WD car, the FF comes with Ferrari's purpose-built 4RM four-wheel drive system where the torque is still delivered by the rear wheels while power can also be transferred to the front wheels when necessary. It comes with a new kind of V12 engine with direct injection technology, giving this a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds. After its announcement, a full-year supply of the FF has been sold out quickly.

You can think of the Bentley as Anna and the Ferrari as Elsa but first, I'd decided to give these two a warm-up practice at the Top Gear Test Track before setting off to Silverstone for their real challenge.



Look at those two 4WD grand tourers! They really like to "Let It Go" through the corners but only the Ferrari tries to catch things up because its 4WD system is not like any other 4WD layout you'd expect. This is not the car you would like the slack off because you have to work it all day long to survive the FF. The Bentley maybe more heavier than the FF but it feels more mild to drive thanks to its conventional 4WD system.

After their warm-up lap round the Top Gear Track, the results:

FF - 1:21.893
CGT - 1:24.581

So, the FF is quicker than the Bentley on this track because it's more lighter than the Bentley but later on, we're going to bring these two at Silverstone and see if they can attempt the same thing they've done when they've gone when Clarkson sent them on Top Gear's icy take of Silverstone, carved from snow from Arjeplog.

F1 2014: Austrian GP

For the first time after its decade-long hiatus, the Austrian GP is back and so is the racetrack from Spielberg, Austria, known as the Red Bull Ring. In the return of this racetrack for this season, looks like Mercedes' Nico Rosberg became the star of the show after giving his teammate and rival, Lewis Hamilton, a good kicking on the Austrian asphalt while Williams rookie Valterri Bottas tasted his first podium after placing 3rd in the race.

With Rosberg still leading at the overalls at 165 and Hamilton's on second at 136 points, looks like their rivalry still goes on. Find out more in the UK at the 6th of July for their heated rivalry.

Report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/6/15991.html

Image: Top Gear

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Day 11

Three matches are occurred on the 11th day of the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil and it seems that with the first stage is approaching to the climax and the second stage is nearby, the road to glory is taking a lot more longer than we expected for some.

First up, the Russians stand powerless against the Belgians after the 1-0 score that sent the Russians wondering what might have been. Then, the South Koreans were tumbled down by the Algerians after the 2-4 score that shows even the most established football teams from the established countries can get squashed by the lesser ones but it's all in the skill of the team that counts. And finally; the superstars from USA and Portugal fought so hard, they're ended in a draw with two goals each.

Tomorrow; four games will be occured. It starts with the Italians taking on Uruguay and it ends with the Greeks facing off against the Ivory Coast.

Wow Mali! - June 22, 2014

On  the June 22, 2014 episode of Wow Mali!

- HATI HOUR - This waitress is a black belter at karate, so she sure knows how to split errr...share tables!

- THE LETHAL WIFE - Previously on The Lethal Wife...Sorry about that, crazy narrator's making the rounds while this lady's making an argument...STAY TUNED!

- FROZEN - Time freezes when ladies broke out a fight!

- MANGHUHULA - The Fortune Teller knows what you're expecting!

- PLAK NA PLACARD - Someone asks you to hold the placard, protesters kicked in, thinking you're part of them!

- M.M.D.I. - Traffic violators, prepared to be...DANCED!

- EMOTE CONTROL SOFA SO GOOD - A celebrity guest is making the rounds on the furniture store!

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Day 10

Ten days has passed since the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil began and the first stage of the match comes into full circle as the football teams from different corners of the world come full force against the opposition.

First up, it's the Argentina and the Argentinians have successfully put a stop against Iran's tracks at the score of 1-0. Then, the Germany vs. Ghana game ended in a draw after scoring two goals each. And then, the Nigerians gave Bosnia and Herzegovina a good kicking after a 1-0 win.

With the first stage have only five matches left and the second stage starts at the 28th, will tomorrow's next three matches be any better? There's the Belgians armed to the teeth against the Russians, then South Koreans take on Algeria, and then USA vs. Portugal.