FIFA World Cup 2014 - Day 13

It's the 13th day of the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil and on this day, the Italy vs. Uruguay match ended with Uruguay that pinned down the Italian heavyweights at the score of 0-1. Then, the Costa Rica vs. England match ended in an utter disappointed because none of the teams scored just one goal. In the Japan vs. Colombia match, looks like Japan was shunned from their loss against the Colombian footballers at the score of 1-4. And in the Greece vs. Ivory Coast match, the Greeks shown no mercy against the Ivory Coast after the score of 2-1.

In tomorrow's match, four games will be occurring with Nigeria taking on Argentina up to Ecuador vs. France. Which country will advance to the Round of 16? Find out soon...

Mitsuoka Ryugi

2015 Mitsuoka Ryugi

Your eyes can't deceive you. At first glance, it looks like a classic saloon but when you notice the name Mitsuoka on the detail, you would ask that this boutique Japanese car maker made a faux classic car out of an ordinary city car and yes, this is true. What you're looking at is the replacement to those old, tenth-generation Toyota Corolla-based, Galue 2-04 and Nouera 6-02. It's called the Ryugi and it's not to be confused with the Ryoga, which is based on the final-generation Nissan Primera per se. Oh no, this is a new boutique compact saloon for some people would say owning a neo-classical vehicle would be classy but it's not so classy when you heard this...

Underneath, it's based on the eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla Axio. Yes, you guessed it. It's a neo-classical machine based on a commoner vehicle that is made in Japan so just deal with it.

 2015 Mitsuoka Ryugi interior

2015 Mitsuoka Ryugi interior

On the inside, it still has the same comforts that you'd expect from the eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla and depending on the variant, you can expect some optional extras to spice up your Ryugi just the way you want it. You can hardly imagine if this is your ride to your next prom per se.

The Ryugi comes with either a 1NZ-FE 1.5L petrol engine or a 1NZ-FXE 1.5L petrol engine connected to a 1LM electric motor. Yes, this Mitsuoka offers a hybrid model for the first time. In petrol models, it can be mated with either a CVT or a 5-speed manual gearbox but on the hybrid model, it's available exclusively with a CVT gearbox.

In terms of handling, the Ryugi, like the Corolla, drives cheaply because of its rack and pinion steering, MacPherson struts on the front, and torsion beam coil springs at the back.

2015 Mitsuoka Ryugi

The base 15ST model is priced at 2,214,000 Japanese Yen (around $22,140) while the HYBRID model with the optional seat heater will cost you 3,110,400 Japanese Yen (around $31,140). There are 10 trim models to choose from while the petrol models do come with available four-wheel drive. So, fancy a Toyota Corolla in a Rolls-Royce getup?

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Blackish Red Mica

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (June 25, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- There has been some scandal going on in Japan recently. There were news about Tokyo Assembly Member, Ayaka Shiomura, who was sexually harassed by an assemblyman. After the recent scandal, Ayaka Shiomura decided to turn her scandal as a motivation to improve the situation for working women in Japan.

- Nissan to display a scale replica of the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo concept car at this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo

- FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY: Jaguar announced that Jaguar's F-Type Project 7 will be limited to 250 units, with production scheduled for next year.

2015 Jaguar F-Type Project 7

- THIS IS THE NEW FORD EDGE: Ford unveiled the second-generation of their Edge crossover, which now gains its global status. It's the first model to have EcoBoost engine standard and it's scheduled to go on sale next year.

2015 Ford Edge

- Check out the latest trailer for the Lupin the Third live-action movie starring Shun Oguri as Lupin the Third. Yes, he gets to drive the classic Fiat 500 just like his anime counterpart do.

- A faster Range Rover Sport is coming...and it's coming real soon.



- Polyphony Digital Inc., the studio behind Gran Turismo, announced a long-term collaboration with the FIA.

- G. Hannelius from Disney's Dog With a Blog shows some show-inspired nail art tutorial!

- The Department of Science and Technology mulls about launching their own satellite for the Philippines in 2016. Codenamed "DIWATA", this planned satellite, approved by the government, contributes the observation of the Philippines in terms of geology, weather, navigation, and so on. The Philippines is continue collaborating with other nations, especially Japan, for this project.

TTFN!!!

Gran Turismo 6: Toyota's TS030 Hybrid

One of the cars I've demanded to be on Gran Turismo 6, which is the Toyota TS030 Hybrid, has arrived and to me, this is the first time I've ever take on Toyota's return to the world of endurance racing after their decade-long absence.

 

So, what's it all about the TS030 Hybrid anyway? In theory, this hybrid LMP succeeds where other Toyota Le Mans cars, especially the GT-One, left off, but there's a bit more to that.



This machine served as Toyota's return to Le Mans since the GT-One of 1999. It was equipped with Toyota's hybrid system-racing system developed by their production hybrid development team and the East Fuji Research Lab's motorsports division. It comes with a race-spec 3.4L V8 engine connected to a Denso electric motor built to the rear gearbox while power is sourced from its double-layer capacitor. In theory, it develops around 529HP of power and it was mated with a 6-speed sequential gearbox with mechanical locking differential.

Aside from the power, the TS030's bodywork is made out of carbon fiber and aluminum so in theory, it has a similar weight to its GT-One predecessor. For handling, the suspension setup is an independent double wishbone pushrod system for the added feel while maneuvering through corners.

In its first year, in 2012, it was supposed to make a debut appearance at Spa-Francorchamps but the chassis was damaged after it was crashed at Paul Ricard during testing sessions. On June 2012, the TS030 debuted at Le Mans but 82 laps later, one of the units, piloted by Anthony Davidson, sent this LMP flying after a crash with a Ferrari, badly injuring Davidson from the tragedy. Well, you get the idea about what just happened but this machine had a rough start in its debut appearance but when it took part in the 2012 World Endurance Championship season, its biggest accomplishment is when it won races from Sao Paulo, Fuji, and Shanghai. It placed 2nd overall in the 2012 season.



Despite its flaws, the TS030 is truly a work of genius, it's one of the reasons why Toyota stuck to their "FUN TO DRIVE, AGAIN" slogan as well as the whole DRIVING KIDS WITH TOYOTA nonsense but forget about that because it has been an honor to take on the TS030 in the world of Gran Turismo. Everybody agrees on that but there's something missing...Ah!




Looks like it's comparison time because with the TS030...it's time for this LMP to fulfill its wish as well as mine by comparing this to its predecessor, the GT-One. Where should I compare these two? Oh yes! Fuji!



Fuji Speedway! I'm going to settle these two racers once and for all and like I always do, fastest time wins. The game...IS ON!



Both machines weigh 900kg but there's a catch because while the TS030 is a hybrid racer, the GT-One relies only on fossil fuel and nothing else. The TS030 lasts longer than the GT-One but the GT-One is more powerful than the TS030. That's 599HP versus a theoretical 529HP, meaning that the TS030 has a lot of catching up to do...or is it?

After a lap round Fuji, the GT-One finished at 1:32.882 while the TS030 finished at 1:35.847, about three seconds slower than the GT-One but it's closer than I thought.



So, there you go, the TS030 is truly one of Toyota's accomplishments in the field of motorsports and despite not being as quick as the GT-One, it participated more races and scored more wins than its predecessor can do...well, sort of.

At least, that's our wish come true.

FIFA World Cup 2014 - Day 12

On this day, the Dutch never let their Chilean opponents score not even a single score while two goals is enough for the Dutch national football team to win. Meanwhile, Spain beats Australia by three goals. Then, the hosting nation, Brazil, stole the spotlight from Cameroon after the match ended in a 1-4, in favor of the Brazilians. And lastly, the Mexicans unleashed their wave of fury against Croatia, finishing the game with the score of 1-3.

Tomorrow, four games will be occurred from the Italy vs. Uruguay match up to the Greece vs. Ivory Coast match.

Forza Motorsport 5: Frozen Face-off Part Two

In an earlier post, I sent the Ferrari FF and the Bentley Continental GT for a workout at the Top Gear Test Track before their big showdown down at the Silverstone and it seems that the Ferrari's way more quicker than the W12 heavyweight Bentley down the track.



Here they are, it's showtime. The Continental GT Speed and the FF arrived at Silverstone as planned and looks like things are looking very competitive for these two. The Continental once smudged at the FF, saying that its V8 little brother once trumped the Fezza in the frozen battleground in Sweden. It says that it wants to do it again, only this time with the W12 twin-turbo engine rigged at the front. However, the FF warned that the Continental is just a luxury saloon in a coupe body and it's heavier than the FF so there's bound to be understeer by the sheer weight of the Bentley.

This is it, Anna and Elsa, on a dry tarmac on Silverstone. Who will triumph? Only one way to find out...



The FF's V12 develops 660PS of power while the Bentley's W12 twin-turbo develops 625PS. Top speed for the FF is 208mph while the Bentley's 205mph. However, while the Ferrari comes with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, the Bentley comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Even with the 4WD system, the Ferrari FF behaves like any other Ferrari while the Bentley suffers catastrophic understeer due to its heavyweight body but being mild on the handling stakes is all about taking things slowly but carefully. Good thing its 4WD system is not as complicating as the Ferrari's.



At the end, the results are in...

FF - 2:30.192
CGT - 2:35.150

So there you go, looks like the Ferrari FF has won the battle against the Bentley in a normal Silverstone GP light of day but the results should really want to let it go because for those 4WD grand tourers, the Ferrari and the Bentley truly let go of what they have to get round Silverstone quicker than what they did on ice a few years ago.

Let's Do The News! (June 24, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Senator Jinggoy Estrada surrendered himself to the authorities after the Sandiganbayan released a warrant of arrest against him. Jinggoy is one of the senators involved in the PDAF Scam.

- The hit Disney cartoon series Wander Over Yonder gets renewed for another season.

- Using the Ferrari F12berlinetta as its basis, the one-off F12 TRS open-top machine is the latest of the Ferrari Special Projects.

2014 Ferrari F12 TRS

- As of now, there's no new Suikoden in the works right now but the franchise's creator, Yoshitaka Murayama, is working on a new project for overseas market.

- Hasbro Studios streamed another one of the My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Rainbow Rocks shorts. Check it out!

- The Ford Focus ST hot hatch gets a minor facelift and it will be revealed at this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed.

- Mitsubishi's eK Wagon reaches its 2015 model year and for this model year, the fuel economy is now updated to 30.0kmpl, the same as the Suzuki Wagon R rival.

2015 Mitsubishi eK Custom

- A GTA Spano supercar, the one from the Need For Speed movie, got engulfed in flames during a hot summer drive in Valencia.

- The first recorded crash of the new BMW M4 happened in Germany when some 20-year-old male took the wheel of this new Bimmer.

TTFN!!!