Tuesday, July 22, 2014

F1 2014: German GP

Nico

It looks like Mercedes' Nico Rosberg tries to play catch-up against his teammate Lewis Hamilton a little further as in the Hockenheimring, the venue for the German GP of the Formula One 2014 season, he is the winner and leaving Lewis Hamilton on third place and rookie Valtteri Bottas of Williams placed 2nd. As the catch-up continues, looks like Hamilton's 14 points behind Rosberg in the standings while Ricciardo still in 3rd place overall with 106 points.

Next time as the F1 racers will be competing on Hungary this 27th of July.

Image: Top Gear

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

The 4-Series is the coupe version of the latest-generation 3-Series because of BMW's naming scheme to use odd numbers as saloons and even numbers for coupes but not at all. Last year, the 3-Series spawned a Gran Turismo model and it's not half bad unlike the rhetorically ugly 5-Series Gran Turismo which is a bit like an unholy product between a whale or a turtle. Now, in a terribly confusing way, the 4-door version of a 2-door version of a 4-door saloon, called the 4-Series Gran Coupe, has arrived and judging by the looks of it, the new model kinda feels like the twin car of the 3-Series Gran Turismo.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Oh dear, it looks like this car faced an identity crisis because in the view of many, since this is the 4-door version of the 4-Series, what on Earth did they think that BMW wants to stay true to their namesakes because with the case of having odd numbers as saloons and even numbers as coupes, looks like BMW begins to lie on us because I don't think they really did a good job on the naming scheme and if customers showed up on the dealerships, the theory is that the sales between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe are on a balance because if they went to the 4-Series Gran Coupe, the 3GT will hurt in the sales department because what was the whole point about selling two cars with the same specs in one dealership? This is like when two identical objects suffer the same identical damages when dropped on each other.

What's the difference between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe? Almost nothing except the 4GC is shorter than the 3GT in terms of wheelbase and it's shorter but despite being shorter than the 3GT, the 4GC is much roomier at the back and because the rear boot opens like a spaceback of some sorts, it's quite a versatile one.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe interior


Yes, because the 4-Series Gran Coupe feels more of an identical twin to the normal 3-Series saloon and the 3GT, expect the same engine choices from them ranging from the 2.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, a 3.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, 2.0L diesel, and 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel engine. Oh, and BMW recently added a new version to the 2.0L diesel engine. This recent diesel engine, to be added on most 4-Series models, especially on the Gran Coupe, develops 218PS of power, 450Nm of torque, and can go 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds when equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Like its 2-door derivative, the 4-Series Gran Coupe comes with chassis improvements allowing this car for a more responsive steering  but can get some minor understeering issues if you going on the bends too quick. It maybe precise when driven carefully but it can be quite harsh in the ride comfort stakes.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Prices for the 4-Series Gran Coupe starts at 35,750 Euros for the 420i model up to 53,850 Euros for the 435i Luxury Line Steptronic. At that starting price, it's cheaper to own than the 3-Series Gran Turismo but more costly than the 3-Series saloon. The F30 one. The BMW F30 3-Series I'm referring. So, would you refer one than...well, you know what? They're all the same beings. You can use your mystic other-worldly powers to decide which.

Photo: BMW AG

Saturday, July 19, 2014

#BubbleGangEnkantoGags

On the July 18, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- An old man's date with a lady is going sweet...and sour.

- Enkanto gags

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...taking pics about your new phone!!!

- Lala Ytera bashes on someone at the bus stop.

- SUMBATAN

- Bubble Gang does Wafrets by spoofing this commercial as HEYFRETS! Basya Heyfrets, Panalo!



- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Makinig sa kuwentuhan kapekehan, may bagong nagangaraket sa tambayan, nagulo lahat ng...TAONG BAYAN!!!

- Don Cantoni gives orders from his criminal goons.

- Your wife really can recognize what you've been doing all night long...

- How come she gets her money while I don't?!

- A lonely man and an old lady truly have their own secrets to tell.

- A celeb explains to the cops that his showbiz career days are well and truly over.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Let's Do The News! (July 18, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Cleanup for the debris caused by Typhoon Glenda is underway by the MMDA, DPWH, and the LGU.

- A Malaysia Airlines plane got hit by a SAM from Eastern Ukraine, killing all 295 people onboard.

- Former Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally joins internet giant Google.

- Did you know that the creator of Yowamushi Pedal, Wataru Watanabe, was a guest commentator from the recently concluded 2014 Tour de France?

- Get to know about the Kanjozoku, Osaka's notorious street racing Honda Civic drivers who are causing havoc in the Kansai highways using heavily modified Honda Civics, in this clip courtesy of Bowls Films.



- OFFICIAL: The 2015 Ford Mustang's 5.0L V8 engine will be producing 435HP of power, 305 for the V6, and 310HP for the new 2.3L EcoBoost turbo engine. Go spread the word.

Ford Mustang
2015 Ford Mustang

- Lamborghini teases their race-spec Super Trofeo track car based on their new Huracan LP610-4 supercar.

Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo
Huracan Super Trofeo teaser

- While the Hamilton vs. Rosberg is still heating things up in this year's Formula One, looks like Nico Rosberg recently renewed his contract with the Mercedes F1 team.

- Honda Cars Philippines' Alabang dealership is now back to normal after the damage caused by Typhoon Glenda.

TTFN!!!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Cadillac Escalade (GMT K2XL)

2015 Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade, the SUV favored by the generation of hip hop and gangsta rappers from the ghettos, has been regenerated to an entirely new look complete with a brand new platform, new interior, and new features that will keep this new model back to its clean slate after years of being treated as a car for the ghetto goons or so we thought.

So, what's new about this new model?

The new model is kinda like its lesser cousins, the Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe and the GMC Yukon, because they both wear the same underpinnings derived from its you-know-whats. Like these, this new platform will not spawn an EXT sport truck and its hybrid derivatives because...like it says on its books, this new Escalade will not spawn a hybrid model as well as its EXT sport truck. Dismissed.

Dismissed?

Dismissed. No Escalade Hybrid nor Escalade EXT for this generation. So sorry...

Anyway, like what I said, WHAT'S NEW?!

Oh! Okay! The new model now looks more well-tailored on the exterior, like a heavily armed bodyguard who is heavily armed to the teeth, guarding a social party for the VIP. Judging by the way the new exterior design looks, that is as first class as a cargo plane all smothered with some palace-like comforts fit for a tyrant.

Hmmm...what about the interior?

2015 Cadillac Escalade interior

2015 Cadillac Escalade interior
Although while the exterior is new to us, the new interior of the Escalade is pretty much like the Cadillacs of today. It's just like when BMW still using the same interior design to all models with absolutely no differences whatsoever. You still have the configurable cluster display, the Cadillac CUE, and those catastrophically difficult dashboard  which makes your fingers deemed to be confused. Apart from its cockpit confusions, the passenger comforts is pretty much like those Japanese luxury MPVs of today but of course, this isn't one of them. This is an all-American made SUV built for the crooks and cools.

When fully equipped, you can expect a rear-seat entertainment system that plays your favorite DVD (or Blu-Ray) movies while on the go. Of course, while some consider it a family car, no other family can afford the Suburban with a Cadillac badge on it. Only the gangsta rappers, MVP athletes, or the Men In Black from the CIA, NSA, or any government organizations snooping on us can drive those.

If you can opt in for the long-wheelbase ESV model, you can have extended luggage space fit enough for some man stuff to put in to your man cave at your home. Tough stuff, though.

Tough?

Well, yeah. It is kinda tough indeed thanks to its extensive use of high-strength steel and it's not just all about being tough on the outside, it's the inside that counts thanks to its host of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic, Side Blind Zone Alert, Safety Alert Seat and Forward Collision Alert. Combined with Rear Vision Camera, Rainsense automatic wipers, and IntelliBeam headlamps.

What about performance?

The new Escalade now comes with the new and more powerful 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 FlexFuel petrol engine, the same engine used to power the new GMC Yukon Denali models. It develops a class-leading power output of 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It features Advanced Direct Injection, Active Fuel Management, and Variable Valve Timing. With that engine output, the EPA estimated fuel mileage is 21MPG highway. That sounds less but some say, it's an improvement from the last model.

Handling aside, the new Escalade comes with the Magnetic Ride Control, which lets the Escalade behave like a full-size saloon but honestly, being a big and burly car the size of five or six burly American football players, getting through the bends is an expert level worth unfathomable. When normally driven, it feels more comfortable like a luxury limo as long if there's someone not waving hands like a show off.

Should I buy it?

2015 Cadillac Escalade
At the start, the new Cadillac Escalade is priced from $71,695 to $92,840 so not only it's expensive than its GMT K2XX cousins, it's more expensive than its rivals such as the MB GL-Class and the Infiniti QX80 but on the upshot is that you can afford one rather than the Range Rover.

Sadly though, because this is too expensive, you can't afford one of these unless if you're working with the music industry or with the MIB.

Available colors: Dark Granite Metallic, Majestic Plum Metallic, Radiant Silver Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, Silver Coast Metallic, White Diamond Tricoat, and Black Raven.

Photo: General Motors

Let's Do The News! (July 17, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Continuing on the Typhoon Glenda updates, the NDRRMC reported that at least 38 people died during the wrath of this typhoon.

- The Australian government gives ten million Philippine pesos of emergency aid to the Philippines. These funds were made to aid victims of Typhoon Glenda.

- Senator Bong Revilla's pre-trial has been postponed by the Sandiganbayan, giving way for the pending motion of the prosecution to amend the graft charge of Revilla over his alleged involvement with the PDAF scam.

- The United States and the European Union continues to escalate economic sanctions against Russia with US President Obama declaring that Russian leaders must see that their actions supporting Ukrainian rebels have consequences.

- The next generation of smart city cars, the fortwo and the forfour, was finally revealed!

2015 smart fortwo and 2015 smart forfour

- THIS IS THE NEW MAZDA DEMIO: The fourth generation of Mazda's city car, the Demio (known globally as the Mazda 2), was finally revealed and its set to go on sale in Japan this late 2014.

2015 Mazda Demio

- Good Smile Company revealed a new Nendoroid based on Rozen Maiden's Suigintou! A must have for every fan of Rozen Maiden!

Nendoroid Suigintou

TTFN!!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Let's Do The News! (July 16, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Focusing on the Typhoon Glenda updates, there was a major power outage occurred in most parts of the Metro Manila as the typhoon continues to ravage most parts of the Luzon region.

- As Metro Manila is still under Signal No. 3, Subic is the next area to get hammered by the wrath of Typhoon Glenda.

- Most of the LRT and MRT operations were suspended due Typhoon Glenda.

- During the wrath of Typhoon Glenda in Metro Manila, a fire broke out in the warehouse of the Wendy's fast food chain in a commercial-residential area in Marikina City, although no casualties were reported.

- Despite LeBron James' announcement that he'll be coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat star player, Dwayne Wade, said that he'll be staying with the Heat.

- A nuclear power plant in southern Japan has received a passing grade for safety requirements raised after the March 11, 2011 disaster.

- The jury trial of a Filipino man named Igmidio Mista, who was suspected of killing three people in a Ohio bar shooting, was postponed to give the defendant's lawyers more time.

- The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S gets a Roadster model. Even though it comes with the same 565HP 6.0L V12 engine as the hardtop model and despite being heavier and slower than its hardtop equivalent, this is Aston Martin's fastest open top sportscar.

2015 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster

- Jaguar's 3-Series rival, the XE, will be revealed this September.

- The occupancy rate of Mazda's Hofu plant has been maintained and production of the next-generation Mazda Demio (or Mazda 2) has been commenced.

- The next-generation smart fortwo city car will be revealed this 16th of July.

- END OF AN ERA: Chevrolet's Express 1500 and GMC Savanna 1500 vans were officially discontinued, although its HD 2500 and 3500 models will continue to live on as expected.

- Production of Acura's new TLX sports saloon has commenced in Honda's Marysville Plant in Ohio.

TTFN!!!