Welcome Back: 1964 Aston Martin DB5 Vantage

The best Bond car is always the one that started it all. It remains one of the all time Bond car greats; the Aston Martin DB5.

Alpine escape

This car is famed for being the first ever James Bond car when it was first appeared in the Bond movie, Goldfinger. The DB naming was named in honor of David Brown, the head of Aston Martin from 1947 to 1972.

The DB5 served as the replacement for the DB4 and unlike the DB4, the all-aluminium 6-cylinder engine was enlarged from 3.7 L to 4.0 L as well as adding three SU carburetors, generating 282 bhp (210 kW) of power and a top speed of 145 mph (233 km/h). It was mated with a ZF five-speed transmission (except for some of the very first DB5s).

This car was produced from 1963 to 1965, with a total of 1,023 produced (123 convertible DB5s were produced). There was a shooting brake DB5 made by independent coachbuilder, Harold Radford, via modifiying 11 or 12 DB5 coupes.

This car was featured in Top Gear Season 6 Episode 5 and it was driven by Jeremy Clarkson alongside the immaculate Jaguar E-Type. In the drag race portion, both the DB5 and the E-Type were lost to a Honda sedan. When handed to The Stig, the DB5 did it in 1:46.0.

Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 update (September 3, 2012)

I really forgot about this. There were results for the 2ch Forum's 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament Round 1. I'm very very sorry that I forgot about this. Anyway, time to pick up where it started....

Sources have the results with some vote counts and frankly it's a bit embarrassing...Remember, those highlighted in bold are the winners advancing to the next round.

Group A (8/14)
Saki Miyanaga - Saki Achiga-hen (episode of side-A) - 294
Maho Misawa - Ro-kyu-bu! - 278
Nanako Dojima - Persona 4 the Animation - 55
Himari Takakura - Mawaru Penguindrum - 41

Mahiru Inami - WORKING!! - 236
Fan Rinin - Infinite Stratos - 179
Miya Tachibana - Amagami SS+ - 177

Reika Aoki - Smile PreCure! - 254
Cecilia Alcott - Infinite Stratos - 222
Raika Oda - Papa no Iu Koto Wo Kikinasai - 107

Group A (8/15)
Kobato Hasegawa - Haganai - 249
Kiyomi Sakura -  Squid Girl  - 135
Riko Yasufuku - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 96

Illyasviel Von Einzbern (Illya) - Fate/Zero - 239
Yoshinoya - Hidamari Sketch x SP - 120
Mako Tsuiki - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 113

Yuno Gasai - Mirai Nikki - 201
Saki Mizukoshi - Natsu-iro Kiseki - 190
Crea Dolosera - Aquarion Evol - 79

Group A (8/16)
Yuki Kataoka - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 291
Rika Shiguma - Haganai - 136
Tiffania Westwood - Familiar of Zero F - 87

Koromo Amae - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 274
Lynette Bishop - Strike Witches - 180
Charlotte E. Yeager - Strike Witches - 65

Nako Oshimizu - Hanasaku Iroha - 224
Maria Takayama - Haganai - 172
Mero Furuya - Sankarea - 106

Group A (8/17)
Miki Hoshii - The IDOLM@STER - 323
Tomoka Minato - Ro-kyu-bu! - 299
Aoi Ogiyama - Ro-kyu-bu! - 46

Remon Yamano - Ano Natsu de Matteru - 266
Masamune Usami - Mayo Chiki! - 217
Miyuki Tsubakino - Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A - 140

Haruka L. Morishima - Amagami SS+ - 273
Asia Argento - High School DxD - 200
Ghutatan - Haiyore! - 126

Group B (8/18)
Yuka Hanaki - Natsu-iro Kiseki - 189
Shino Amakusa - Seitokai Yakuindomo - 162
Tomo Asama - Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere - 127

Kanade Suzutsuki - Mayo Chiki! 215
Isumi Saginomiya - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven is a Place on Earth - 196
Hanyuu - When They Cry - 108

Akari Akaza - Yuruyuri - 325
Izumi Segawa - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven is a Place on Earth - 146
Taeko Hiramatsu - Kore wa Zombie desu ka? - 75

Group B 8/19
Mei Misaki - Another - 324
Ayano Sugiura - Yuruyuri - 260
Rias Gremory - High School DxD - 73

Iori Minase - The IDOLM@STER - 288
Mio Naganohara - Nichijo - 171
Komaki Jindai - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 159

Toki Onjouji - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 417
Airi Sena - Mashiro-iro Symphony - 192
Tsumiki Miniwa - Acchi Kocchi - 74

Group B 8/20
Yozora Mikazuki - Haganai - 259
Chihaya Ayase - Chihayafuru - 255
Nazuna - Hidamari Sketch x SP - 151

Azusa Nakano - K-ON! - 293
Sakurako Omuro - Yuruyuri - 256
Yuno - Hidamari Sketch x SP - 167

Shinobu Oshino - Nisemonogatari - 288
Shirayuki Hotogi - Hidan no Aria - 220
Ayame Shaga - Ben-To - 150

Group B (8/21)
Run - A-Channel - 190
Ritsu Tainaka - K-ON! - 185
Ami Kawashima - Toradora! - 121

Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke - Strike Witches - 222
Ichika Takatsuki - Ano Natsu de Matteru - 140
Mako Someya - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 94

Chris Yukine - Senki Zessho Symphogear - 203
Nori - Hidamari Sketch x SP - 151
Sae - Hidamari Sketch x SP - 68

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-22/2ch-forum-saimoe-tournament-2012-round-1/groups-a-b

Group C (8/23)
Shizuno Takakamo - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 409
Kyoko Toshino - Yuruyuri - 366
Rise Matsumoto - Yuruyuri - 44

Ringo Oginome - Mawaru Penguindrum - 293
Kaoru Hanawa - Tamayura - 261
Professor - Nichijo - 159

Kanon Nakagawa - The World God only Knows - 297
Fuu Sawatari - Tamayura - 260
Norie Okazaki - Tamayura - 104

Group C (8/24)
Hisa Takei - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 285
Sae Nakata - Amagami SS+ - 218
Yuuka Morigaki - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 75

Eila Ilmatar Juutilanen - Strike Witches movie - 267
Kokoro Akechi - Detective Opera Milky Holmes - 186
Hare Menjo - Guilty Crown - 102

Ui Hirasawa - K-ON! movie -264
Sen Yarizui - Ben-to - 251
Suruga Kanbaru - Nisemonogatari - 71

Group C (8/25)

Cthugha - Haiyore! Nyaruko-san - 239
Chinatsu Yoshikawa - Yuruyuri - 180
Francesca Lucchini - Strike Witches - 142


Yune - Ikoku Meiro no Croisée
Erica Hartmann - Strike Witches (movie) - 220
Sonya - Kill Me Baby - 133


Astarotte Ygvar - Astarotte's Toy! - 306
Awai Ōhoshi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 132
Mami Futami - The IDOLM@STER - 125

Group C (8/26)

Yayoi Kise - Smile Pretty Cure! - 303
Ai Haibara - Detective Conan - 115
Gruier Serenity - Bodacious Space Pirates - 96


Maon Sakurada - Tamayura - Hitotose - 260
Maria - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth - 195
Laura Bodewig - Infinite Stratos Encore: Koi ni Kogareru Rokujūsō - 76


Sherlock Shellingford - Detective Opera Milky Holmes franchise - 197
Asuha Tōhara - Astarotte's Toy! EX - 190
Mayuri Shiina - Steins;Gate - 148

Group D (8/27)

Houki Shinonono - Infinite Stratos - 202
Rinko Tamaki - Natsu-iro Kiseki - 189
Harue Akado - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 95


Yasuna Oribe - Kill Me Baby - 235
Gertrud Barkhorn - Strike Witches (movie) - 171
Sakurako Gibbard - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 97


Sana Inui - Mashiro-Iro Symphony - The color of lovers - 211
Tamao Kurei - Nyarko-san: Another Crawling Chaos - 173
Hibino Shiba - Kamisama Dolls - 84

Group D (8/28)

Kurisu Makise - Steins;Gate - 439
Mihoko Fukuji - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 364
Ayumi Tokita - Squid Girl - 70


Chihaya Kisaragi - The IDOLM@STER - 349
Hibiki Tachibana - Senki Zesshō Symphogear - 249
Koneko Tōjō - High School DxD - 188


Louise de la Valliere - Familiar of Zero F - 406
Kei Arakawa - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 319
Alice - Heaven's Memo Pad - 130

Group D (8/29)

Hajime Kunihiro - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 266
Suzu Hagimura - Seitokai Yakuindomo - 236
Henriette Mystere - Detective Opera Milky Holmes franchise - 125


Makoto Kikuchi - The IDOLM@STER - 250
Karuta Roromiya - Inu X Boku Secret Service - 241
Fear - C3 - 140


Madoka Kyōno - Lagrange - The Flower of Rin-ne - 328
Teru Miyanaga - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 291
Tomoki Sawamura - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 28

Group D (8/30)

Nagi Sanzenin - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth - 365
Hiroe Atago - Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth - 165
Utao Kuga - Kamisama Dolls - 131


Hinata Hakamada - Ro-Kyu-Bu! - 332
Unused Character - Kill Me Baby! - 187
Perinne H. Clostermann - Strike Witches (movie) - 130


Saber - Fate/Zero/Carnival Phantasm - 262
Tōka Ryūmonbuchi - Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A - 236
Agiri Goshiki - Kill Me Baby - 160

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-09-02/2ch-forum-saimoe-tournament-2012-round-1/groups-c-d

Check back for more!

Formula One 2012 Belgian GP update...

Oh, I almost forgot. The Formula 1 2012 Belgian GP happened at Spa-Francorchamps. On that event, we saw a horrible carnage between Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, and Romain Grosjean. Despite that carnage happened, Jenson Button stands tall to the very end.

PRESS RELEASE:


Race - Button wins after first-corner carnage at Spa 02 Sep 2012
      
Jenson Button salvaged McLaren’s day after an explosive start to the Belgian race saw team mate Lewis Hamilton eliminated along with championship points leader Fernando Alonso, Sauber’s Sergio Perez and Lotus’s Romain Grosjean.

After debris from their collision was cleared away, and the safety car went back in, Button owned the race and sped home to a 13.6s victory - his first at Spa - over Sebastian Vettel who drove with great commitment and a clever strategy to take a supremely valuable second for Red Bull. 

Behind them, car problems kept Lotus’s Kimi Raikkkonen from launching his expected challenge, but the Finn also took home valuable points on a day when Alonso’s lead suddenly began to look vulnerable. His team mate Grosjean was subsequently handed a one-race ban and a 50,000 Euro fine for triggering the first-corner mayhem. 

Nico Hulkenberg drove a beautiful race for Force India and was always in the hunt for good points. He battled and beat Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher in the early stages to run second, but ultimately had to settle for an honourable fourth.

Felipe Massa salvaged a little for Ferrari (after Alonso’s exit) with a hard-fought fifth ahead of Red Bull’s Mark Webber, while Schumacher faded to seventh after a late tyre stop and the loss of sixth gear on his Mercedes.

Jean-Eric Vergne came through from a fantastic race-long battle with Toro Rosso team mate Daniel Ricciardo, Paul di Resta in the second Force India, and Bruno Senna, who also had to make a late tyre stop after looking a likely points contender for a long time.

Sauber’s promising race fell apart at the start when Kamui Kobayashi’s car showed signs of overheating on the grid and was then hit by the flying Hamilton and Alonso; he recovered, but could not better a hugely disappointing 13th. Vitaly Petrov was Caterham’s leader in 14th after Heikki Kovalainen, who was initially 10th after the first-corner melee, spun once and later spun again to finish 17th.

Between the green cars, the Marussia drivers staged a hard battle in the team’s 50th race. Eventually Timo Glock hunted down team mate Charles Pic, to finish 15.5s ahead. Pedro de la Rosa was the final finisher after HRT team mate Narain Karthikeyan’s span off backwards into the tyre wall late in the race.

Besides Grosjean, Hamilton, Alonso and Perez, the other non-finisher was Pastor Maldonado who damaged his Williams in a brush with Glock on the restart on Lap five. The Venezuelan was handed a five-place grid penalty by the stewards for the next race in Monza for that incident, and received another five-place grid penalty for Italy for jumping the start.

The FIA also investigated two pit-lane incidents. The first came when Caterham unsafely released Kovalainen and he struck an incoming Karthikeyan, and the second when Webber just managed to avoid an incoming Massa after Red Bull appeared to let him go prematurely. They took no further action against Red Bull but fined Caterham 10,000 Euros for their misdemeanor.

The stewards also investigated an incident on the 19th lap when Schumacher, on the left-hand side of the road as Vettel dived inside him at the Bus Stop chicane, then cut across the Red Bull’s bows as the older German headed for the pits. They decided to take no further action. 

In the championship stakes, Alonso still leads with 164 points, but Vettel is now second on 140 from Webber on 132 and Raikkonen on 131. Hamilton is fifth with 117, while Button’s first victory at Spa leaves him sixth on 101.

For the teams, Red Bull continues to lead with 272 to McLaren’s 218, Lotus’s 207 and Ferrari’s 199.

Scoop: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/9/13739.html

So, can such suspense like this occurred on Italy this September 9? See you there!

Let's Do The News! (September 3, 2012)

And now the news and hey, I guess everyone's in a good mood today. Seems that most of them have witnessed Episode 1 of the Doctor Who Series 7 titled Asylum of the Daleks. That was a fun ride and we had a lot of leftovers to serve for next week's Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

You had a lot of leftovers?

Just small. Some Jammie dodgers and the custard....

(audience laughing)

Hey, guess this episode is not just limited to just Daleks but also some souffle and eggs.

Souffle and eggs?

(laughing)

Oh dear...Seems that you're taking a shot at that souffle girl...(laughing)

No, I'm not...

Really? Wanna guess who's that actress being that souffle girl?

Who?

Jenna Louise-Coleman

That was Jenna Louise-Coleman! She made a very special appearance on that episode. Oh, and if you we're tantalizing over Ms. Jenna Louise-Coleman, don't worry. She'll be back on the 2012 Christmas Special but now, she's going to be a new partner for The Doctor. Guess we'll be serving souffles by the time she returned for Christmas....gosh that girl made me blushed...

(audience laughing)

Ahem...don't be silly. You want eggs?

What?

Eggs....eggs....eggs...

Eggs?

Eggs...eggs....term...i....nate!

Exterminate?

(uh-oh)

Hey, enough all of that eggs and souffle jokes right now...Something bothers me that because Daleks think that hatred is beautiful...what's the recipe for hatred?

Subtract love, add hate...and some eggs, and stir.

(audience laughing)

Uh...that's not gone well. Save the souffle recipe for Ms. Jenna Louise Coleman this Christmas, okay?

Okay...

Because, let's move on to the unexpected.

Yes, we heard about BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT's scaling down of operations and as we heard now....THEY'RE DISCONTINUING THEIR HOME VIDEO, MANGA, AND NOVEL SALES.

(awww)

Sorry if we saw you spitting your coffee at your desks but this is the real deal. Here's the letter from BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT sent to the retailers;


"I am writing to inform you that Bandai Entertainment Inc in discontinuing its home video publishing and distribution business effective March 1, 2013. 

As we methodically wind down the business, the last day that Bandai will be accepting any purchase orders is November 15, 2012, with our last shipments occurring on November 30th, 2012.

On Behalf of Bandai Entertainment Inc, I want to express our gratitude for the opportunity we've had to do business with your company, and I think you in advance for your understanding and assistance during this period." 

Scoop: http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/08/31-1/bandai-entertainment-to-end-catalog-home-video-sales-in-november

So, if you're on the hunt for some Bandai Entertainment DVDs then do it now because the final day that they will be accepting orders will be on November 15. Any titles you want to buy before the deadline?

Uh...I should be getting those Galaxy Angel DVDs....I guess this is now becoming a forgotten title. Ever since Broccoli Books closed down its business in late 2008 or early 2009, I do kinda miss those. Even Millefeulle Sakuraba...(sniff)

(awww)

Yeah, anyway Capt. Slow, no time for drama because let's move on to even more interesting....and for a big treat...

What?

It seems that BBC's Sherlock TV program, the one that stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the modern Sherlock Holmes, gets a manga from Kadokawa's Young Ace this October 2012 and it will be made possibly by someone named Jay.

Heh? Even Sherlock's popularity reached Japan? BBC's Sherlock gets a manga? Touche, Mr. Steven Moffat.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-01/bbc-tv-sherlock-re-imagining-gets-japanese-manga

I was shocked to read that news and it seems that the modern Sherlock Holmes is getting a bit a trending topic. The Japanese are now making a manga based on BBC's Sherlock? Uh-oh...

I know. It's a bit of an uh-oh but there's even more to this Sherlock malarkey. When Robert Downey Jr. became Sherlock Holmes in the movies and Benedict Cumberbatch became Sherlock Holmes on British televisions...

Not to mention Sherlock Shellingford from the Milky Holmes anime....that counts...

(laughing)

... there's another Sherlock Holmes in the ring but this time...it's AMERICAN...A new show on CBS titled Elementary stars Jonny Lee Miller as Holmes and Lucy Liu from the Charlie's Angels movies as Joan Watson, which is like Dr. Watson, only female.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/05/watch-the-trailer-for-elementary-2012s-third-sherlock-holmes-franchise/

I was getting a bit confused about the whole Sherlock Holmes fame but now it spreads America-wide with the upcoming Fall TV show called Elementary? The Sherlock for Americans?

(audience laughing)

Anyway, enough about the Sherlock madness and move on to even more because...

A maid cafe owner in Osaka got arrested for employing underaged girls, 14-year-old girls to be axact.

(huh?)

14-year-old teenage girls working in maid cafes? That's illegal you know. There was a rule that it's prohibited to employ a child under 15 years of age but what do you expect here? Some 14 year old junior high school girls working at the maid cafe? Uh-oh...This is somewhat child labor here....

Yeah. This guy's going to be pissed off for the case of child labor. Speaking of which, what was that maid cafe in Osaka where the owner got arrested for child labor?

Maidream

Scoop: http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/09/01-1/maid-cafe-owner-arrested-for-employing-14-year-old-girls

And what are they serving?

Let's see, um...some 4000 yen omelet rice, some 5000 yen cake set, some very expensive foods and services on this made cafe with underaged maids. Glad I'm not there...

(audience laughing)

Okay...moving on...There was this German pharmaceutical company, which is known to be one of the last remaining five research-oriented pharmaceutical companies with headquarters in Germany, apologized to the public for birth defects in...well you guessed it...five decades! Five decades? That was too late for a German pharmaceutical named Grunenthal to apologize to those Thalidomide victims.

Uh...what's Thalidomide?

It's sedative drug introduced in the late 1950s that was used to treat morning sickness and aid sleep. That medicine lead them to side effects but the most seriously, birth defects. Ending up with babies with no arms or limbs or any body parts that render them disabled.

Scoop: http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981604994

Sadly though, it's too late for Grunenthal to apologize to the affected. I mean come on...50 years? That's a very very long time! You know if that occurred, I should better apologize quickly, not waiting for 50 years to apologize. Come on Grunenthal. You should better be packing your bags now because you're facing the wrath of the angry mob....Those who were called the Thalidomide victims perhaps.

(audience laughing)

This really is a bombshell we really like to end it but before we end...I got terrible queries saying what was the commercial song on the 2013 Toyota Auris NOT AUTHORITY commercial, the one with the transgender model on it. Wanna know what's the song? Here...


曲　名：オリジナル曲
作曲家：大沢 伸一（おおさわ しんいち）

Source: http://toyota.jp/auris/tvcf/index.html

Yeah, you guys really were close. I'm afraid it's an original song used on the commercial! Sorry!

Conundrum solved, right?

And....on that bombshell, that's the news! Let's go make some souffles! For the souffle girl! he he he he

Save that recipe for Christmas...

Outtakes: Nissan Note E12 is the replacement for the Nissan Tiida. Period.

2013 Nissan Note

OUTTAKE:

Hello guys. I was really pleased about the launch of the all new 2013 Nissan Note which comes with a fuel efficient and supercharged HR12DDR DIG-S engine which has a fuel economy of 25.2km/L on the JC08 cycle. An eco car with a supercharged engine is quite interesting for the everyday drivers.

I got a lot of annoying Tiida-related queries on this website and let me tell you this once and NEVER again so sit down and I'll say it. Ahem.

The second-generation Nissan Note...is the replacement of the Nissan Tiida. The new Note replaces the outgoing Tiida hatchback. That's it.

Now, as you may thought that I was kidding about the all new Nissan Note E12 replacing the Nissan Tiida, no I'm not. I am not kidding. It's true. The new Note replaces the Tiida/Versa/Latio hatchback.

When we saw the second-generation Tiida in China last year, we were stilling waiting if Nissan Motor Corporation will sell the new Tiida in Japan but sadly, Nissan confirmed that the new Tiida will no longer be available in Japan. Production of the Tiida at its Oppama plant in Japan stopped in June 2012 and furthermore, the Tiida was killed, ending its eight-year tenure as the global compact car that is compact meets luxury.

Source? Here: http://car-research.jp/nissan/tiida-7.html

Here's the excerpt from that site:

新型ティーダの日本発売は無し、カタログ落ちへ

2代目ティーダが昨年2011年春の上海モーターショーで公開され、既に中国では一般発売されている。今年2012年9月頃とされてきた日本仕様の発売を楽しみにしているユーザーも多かった思うが、残念ながらこれは中止となりそうだ。

これまで、次期ティーダの日本発売については、2012年秋でほぼ決まりと考えられ、日産では5ナンバー化の検討もされていた。しかし、これらはすべてキャンセル。結局、日本ではティーダは発売されないことになった。

In translation, Nissan killed the Tiida and furthermore, the all new Nissan Note E12 is the confirmed Tiida replacement, which is a bit redundant.

We furthermore appreciated with this further understanding and do apologize for Nissan's announcement. If the new Nissan Note is a bit redundant as the Tiida it replaces, feel free to comment below. Thank you.

OUTTAKE END

Be Careful with my Tiyan

On the September 2, 2012 episode of Goin Bulilit...

- Some corny jokes on I'm Corny

- Gags involving bigger families

- Tirik ng kandlia

- A statue asks....Tanong ko lang...

- Goin Bulilit music video of Isang Sulyap

- kariton gags

- Goin Bulilit does Be Careful with my Heart in...BE CAREFUL WITH MY TIYAN.

- Somebody's eating the chicken at the table...Who could that be? It's the kids!

- Flip Top Battle between the plastic bag vs. the paper bag! But wait! The Reusable bag crashes the party!

Vauxhall Astra J VXR

2013 Vauxhall Astra VXR

2013 Vauxhall Astra VXR

*The Opel Astra J OPC is sold in Great Britain as the Vauxhall Astra J VXR

When you compare the all new Vauxhall Astra VXR against the Renault Megane RS 265 and the Volkswagen Golf VI GTi, it really is like Ms. Iceland vs. Ms. Munich Beer Festival vs. Ms. I had all the pies. Both these cars have 2.0L engines and turbocharged but the all new  Vauxhall Astra VXR  is far from equal because it produces 280PS of power. That's 15 more than the Renaultsport Megane 265 and that's 70 more than the Golf VI GTi. Which means, this hot chick's not only obliterate against these two, it demolishes them in the straights.

Not only the new  Vauxhall Astra VXR  is faster, it's also good looking, it's agile, and it makes the best noise as well. And unlike any other hot hatchbacks in the market today, it's not that desperately impractical. First of all, the pricing of the new VXR starts at 34,250 Euros, pricier than the Golf GTi and the Megane RS 265. Also, because of the low roof line, I'm afraid that there's no way we can't fit our garden essentials or a tall angel statues at the back. So then, not quite good to use it as an everyday car but then there was the chaos theory/.

It maybe a compact but it's still a hardcore continental crusher. Putting all that power to its front wheels is all biggie but it sure knows how to dougie. Come on car, teach me how to dougie. Come on! Speaking of which, can it do torque steering? I don't know but best to find out by yourself. If this new Astra VXR's gone as insane as that boss character from that Crash Bandicoot video game, you're out for some serious trouble and this new VXR's no car. It's mad. There are tons of optional features available for the all new  Vauxhall Astra VXR  but I'm afraid that they're not options....they're traps. A traptastic hot hatch indeed....

Opel Astra J OPC

2013 Opel Astra GTC

When you compare the all new Opel Astra OPC against the Renault Megane RS 265 and the Volkswagen Golf VI GTi, it really is like Ms. Iceland vs. Ms. Munich Beer Festival vs. Ms. I had all the pies. Both these cars have 2.0L engines and turbocharged but the all new Opel Astra J OPC is far from equal because it produces 280PS of power. That's 15 more than the Renaultsport Megane 265 and that's 70 more than the Golf VI GTi. Which means, this hot chick's not only obliterate against these two, it demolishes them in the straights.

2013 Opel Astra OPC interior

Not only the new Astra OPC is faster, it's also good looking, it's agile, and it makes the best noise as well. And unlike any other hot hatchbacks in the market today, it's not that desperately impractical. First of all, the pricing of the new OPC starts at 34,250 Euros, pricier than the Golf GTi and the Megane RS 265. Also, because of the low roof line, I'm afraid that there's no way we can't fit our garden essentials or a tall angel statues at the back. So then, not quite good to use it as an everyday car but then there was the chaos theory/.

It maybe a compact but it's still a hardcore continental crusher. Putting all that power to its front wheels is all biggie but it sure knows how to dougie. Come on car, teach me how to dougie. Come on! Speaking of which, can it do torque steering? I don't know but best to find out by yourself. If this new Astra OPC's gone as insane as that boss character from that Crash Bandicoot video game, you're out for some serious trouble and this new OPC's no car. It's mad. There are tons of optional features available for the all new Opel Astra OPC but I'm afraid that they're not options....they're traps. A traptastic hot hatch indeed....

Behind the scenes clip of Doctor Who S07E01

Of souffles and eggs, we loved the opener of Doctor Who Series 7 titled Asylum of the Daleks. To build all the hype of that episode, BBC put a behind-the scenes clip on the making of Asylum of the Daleks and see how the Daleks are made on the set. Is it more fun?

That was a great opening salvo!

Series 7 of BBC's Doctor Who kicked off with Asylum of the Daleks. It was a great ride...except that now there's a new opening sequence which will carry on to the next...

It also gives us a glimpse of Jenna Louise Coleman as well. See you soon Ms. Jenna Louise Coleman!

Now if only we want to make some souffle for the after hours...

Next week...dinosaurs! On a spaceship!

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Since when did I became...a DW Fan?

Doctor Who Series 5 DVD

Doctor Who was a British science fiction program that was aired since 1963 and then went off the air in 1989. Don't worry, I didn't know that either....

I'd never heard of Doctor Who. Nor its the actors who portrayed as the venerable Doctor.

I'd always assumed that the Brits can make a sci-fi series that is too popular for adults many. Who wouldn't? But then, in 2005, some guy named Russell Davies got bored for doing absolutely nothing on his free time and do you guess what he did on his time? He brought Doctor Who back, starting from Christopher Eccleston who served as the 9th generation Doctor when the series returned in the Spring of 2005 along with some actress named Billie Piper as his companion, Rose Tyler.

I'm no fan of the classic Who because this is somewhat what your parents used to watch when they were kids but the modern Who is all fantastic and cool and suitable for all ages. Kids love to watch the modern Who, even teens, or parents who got fed of seeing the classic Who.

First glance, when I watched the first series, take note the one when it got back in 2005, I sometimes didn't like Mr. Eccleston's performance but with all of his eccentric ways, his rage, fun, anything, that got me. In episodes like the one when London's been invaded by the Slitheen, that's when The Doctor and Rose showed their true instincts. I have seen it all that this Who is all about the battle of wits. Its the Time Lord's intelligence that will change the fate of the world. Of course, for being the last of the powerful Time Lords, he's your ideal knight in shining armor uh...save that to someone else...Don't mind asking why.

When Christopher Eccleston left the show after the first season ended, where he got turned into David Tennant, this is when it gets interesting. David, for being the shouty type of Doctor, really helped this show's popularity soared into new heights. And if I said shouty, I saw him when he guested on Top Gear Season 10 finale. "SPEED UP!" David Tennant yelled. Heh....not bad for the Scottish-born actor who popularized Doctor Who with his shouty humorous attitude. As I watched all of Mr. Tennant's adventures, I started to adore his attitude. Even when Ms. Freema Agyeman took role as Martha, who served as his companion for Series 3, and then comedian Catherine Tate from The Catherine Tate Show, who was Donna Noble from the 2006 Christmas Special up until she became a full-fledged partner on Series 4, which brought back Billie and Freema and some of his good guys, Doctor Who became a chemistry of laughter, appeal, and surprisingly the emotion that we felt.

Travel through time, fend off against enemies such as the Daleks, the Cybermen, and many others, and saving the universe, that's how The Doctor's been good at but sometimes though, with great power comes great responsibility. The rules of time are fluid, some actions have dire consequences, and some tragedies cannot be reversed. Such examples came from The Fires of Pompeii episode and the 2009 Autumn Special titled The Waters Of Mars. He maybe prevented catastrophe from time paradoxes but sometimes, there is NO ROOM FOR MANEUVER. Some events are fixed and cannot be changed. That made me sad...

Thanks to Mr. David Tennant's contribution, Doctor Who spawned several merchandising rights such as a toy replica of his Sonic Screwdriver, some Doctor Who books to keep them interested, and that's it. Also, it even spawned spin-offs....(sigh) I felt pity about The Sarah Jane Adventures. Even though a good Doctor Who spinoff targeted for the kids in Britain and starred famed Doctor Who actress Elisabeth Sladen as journalist Sarah Jane Smith, I'd never knew that it only spawned five seasons. To put it this way, Season 5 was the last of The Sarah Jane Adventures before Elisabeth Sladen died in 2011. Right before her passing, she even wrote an autobiography, which I really want to read about her achievements as being Sarah Jane Smith from the classic Who right to her last words before her death. Classic and modern Whovians alike can still remember Sarah Jane as one of the all time companion greats.

Aside from Sarah Jane, who can forget a time agent became Torchwood operative, Captain Jack Harkness (played by John Barrowman)? Torchwood is more than just a rated-SPG spinoff of Doctor Who. When I said rated-SPG, it does. Think of CSI meets The X-Files but sadly, I didn't like that show but I'll give it a chance to see one. Count on it. Even they we're branded as spin-offs, they're still a product of Doctor Who's popularity.

When the year 2010 stroke, it was the year Whovians bid goodbye to David Tennant and others, even the man who revived the series, whose name was Russell Davies. Why? Because, this is the year Doctor Who became the coolest and positioned as one of the BBC's flagship programs...thanks to actor Matt Smith and the newly appointed showrunner who was famous for modernizing Sherlock, Steven Moffat.

Matt Smith's now the 11th generation Doctor Who and even though it was the fifth series, it feels like a completely new Doctor Who rather than just a continuation. With good guys such as Amy Pond and Rory Williams, this show is getting cooler than the past Doctor Who seasons. Thanks to Mr. Steven Moffat and Matt Smith, the whole humans became fez-wearing, bowtie-wearing, jammie dodger-eating, Whovians because why? He's unique....VERY VERY unique. Aside from the Eleventh's coolness, merchandising rights are now expanded and luckily, we'd expected a toy version of the TARDIS, especially the Eleventh's Sonic Screwdriver! I once had a TARDIS toy and the Eleventh's sonic screwdriver in my room and you wouldn't guess how my transformation came intro fruition. When I watched the whole of Mr. Matt Smith's adventures, he revolutionized everything! Bowties are cool, fezzes are cool, stetsons are cool, glasses are cool, and bunk beds are cool! Wait, bunk beds are cool? We used to have one of those and I broke one. Sorry....

This show became a global phenomenon and even when classic programs revamped into new ones fail within a minute, Doctor Who is doing very well. So well...it even spawned a video game its very own exhibition in Porth Teigr, Cardiff, Wales!

I am so glad I became one of them...a fez-wearing, bowtie-wearing, jammie dodger-eating, fish custard-eating, bunk bed-sleeping, Whovian. That's my NEW TO WHO story. Because I'm new to Who. Allons-y!

Thanks for reading and as always...NEVER APPLY LOGIC TO WHO...

The horror....the horror....the horror....

Eastern Coastline of the Philippines
has been battered by a 7.6 magnitude

A couple of hours ago, I've heard that the eastern coastline of the Philippines got battered by a 7.6 magnitude and some terrible aftershocks. I never thought how could that happened but my God, please help us. WE REALLY NEED THEIR HELP!

As of now, tens of thousands return home in Samar after a tsunami alert was lifted following a 7.6 magnitude undersea quake, as local authorities began work to repair damages to public infrastructure.I really do hope that after that terrible nightmare occurred, I do hope that those who are affected will do their best to stood up again.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/42039/tens-of-thousands-return-home-in-samar-as-tsunami-fears-subside

Pond Life

While building the anticipation for Series 7 premiere of Doctor Who, BBC made a five-part webisodes set before Asylum of the Daleks. This is called Pond Life and this online exclusive highlights moments on The Eleventh Doctor, Amy Pond, and Rory Williams, along with some other familiar faces. Seems that the BBC has kindly let everyone witness this five-part web exclusives that build the anticipation for the Series 7 premiere set tomorrow.




In my point of view, parts 1 to 4 are fun to see. Who would have thought that The Doctor laid down some backing vocals, Ood on the loo, and Rory's lunchbox....which is the most awkward moment occurred in the whole Who history? At the end of the final part of this online exclusive, that's how it gets emotional...

Everything is all right, isn't it?

So then....see you tomorrow for Asylum of the Daleks! Bring your friends! Arm yourselves with knowledge!

Until then, GERONIMO!!!!

"100 brush strokes, 0 worries of hair fall"

On the August 31, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Bubble Gags see cowboys escaping with their carriages

- job interview

- Mr. Assimo had an accident...

- What to put on your chin to be good looking?

- Bubble Gang does Pantene Pro V by spoofing this commercial as FUNTWIN Pro-V. 100 brush strokes, 0 worries of hair fall...

- job interview part 2

- It's the Pinoy Henyo for gays - PINOY JENYO!

- Pick Up Lines with Push Back, Bagoong, and Boy Pick Up!

- job interview part 3

- Capital letters too loud? Small caps letters can't hear? What about medium letters?!

- A Bubble Gang dramatic cooking show called DI KA NA MAGGIGISA.

Double decker racing in American Top Gear?

Okay, no offense right? But how come there's double decker racing in American Top Gear?

In the original, double decker racing was occured in Top Gear vs. The Germans episode and The Ashes Challenge episode (UK vs Australia). Here in the American Top Gear, different story...

After Rut and Adam lost the cult classics challenge even though Rutledge bought Tanner's winning Merkur for $600, those two visited Irwindale Speedway and meet up with Dax Shephard and Sean Hayes, stars on the new movie Hit and Run. These two arrived in the 1967 Lincoln Continental, a true cult classic.

Anyway, a BMW 3 bolted on the top of the 7 is weird for a double decker Bimmer. Fans of the original maybe familiar about the double decker racing but here...it's Rut and Dax vs. Adam and Sean. Carnage and stupidity occured.

In the end, Rutledge and Dax won the double decker racing. What a pillock....

Let's Do The News! (August 31, 2012)

Let's do the news! And oh, have you guys been on the Metal Gear 25th Anniversary party?

(audience murmuring)

Uh...I don't know if I was here. You?

Uh...no. But on that party, Kojima Productions really showed up their bombshells on that party. This is one quite of an interesting bombshell that shocked Metal Gear fans many.

What's the bombshell that Hideo Kojima blown on that party?

First, and really a big one, Columbia Pictures will produce the much awaited live-action film of Metal Gear Solid!

(applause)

Wha.....what? A live action Metal Gear Solid film? Seriously?

Yes. That is a bombshell explained and yes, Avi Arad, who is the producer of Spiderman movies, will be served as the producer for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid movie!

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-30/metal-gear-solid-gets-live-action-hollywood-film

I didn't realize that Mr. Hideo Kojima had a dream of wanting his Metal Gear masterpiece to be adapted to a film but is it worth the wait or is it a flop?

I don't know. But we have to find out in the near future. Aside for the live action MGS film in the works, Metal Gear Solid also gets social with its first ever social game called METAL GEAR SOLID SOCIAL OPS.

(oooohh)

Social...Ops?

Yep. Social Ops. A smartphone game as told by GREE and it will be based on earlier stories of the METAL GEAR saga. Amazingly though, Mr. Kojima didn't really want to expand the franchise upwards but they want to be on the right direction. Also, this new social game takes advantage of its Unity engine for 3D graphics. This is another one of their bombshells offered...

Yeah. Another bombshell indeed.

(audience laughing)

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-30/metal-gear-solid-gets-social-game-with-global-plans

On one note on that is, because it's made possible by GREE, it could be somewhat Japan-only...

No, May. Not only Japan but Konami plans to expand the Social Ops from around the world!

Really?

Yeah! And oh, for one last bombshell....

What is it?

Well, while on the hype for next year's REVENGEANCE, Kojima Productions tries to put their most talked FOX engine to their next Metal Gear game but this time, this is an open world Metal Gear game called GROUND ZERO.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-30/new-fox-engine-demo-is-an-open-world-metal-gear-game

Don't you mean METAL GEAR SOLID GROUND ZERO?

Yes. GROUND ZERO. Kojima said he wanted to test drive their FOX Engine for their new work but seriously, can the FOX Engine really be a good try for this new Metal Gear game?

Uhh....I don't know. Maybe more details will follow on the 2012 Tokyo Game Show next month.

Yeah. Next month indeed. Now they're really a bombshells we're looking forward to.

Uh-huh and oh! Bad news!

What?

I've just heard that Season 6 of the hit MTV reality series titled Jersey Shore WILL BE THE LAST!

Oh no! And oh, about that Jersey Shore....That was my sister Elise's favorite. JERSEY SHORE, B**CH!

(audience laughing)

Oh...that was the reality about idiots fighting each other, showing muscles, and my gosh....I can't believe that this rated-SPG reality show became a cult phenomenon. Sadly though, I didn't like that for being too harsh and what's the point of those adults doing outrageous stuff on cam?

(audience laughing)

Well, there's that dialogue that's been stuck on my head...JERSEY SHORE, B**CH! (laughing)

Scoop: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/mtv-pulls-plug-jersey-shore-174946631.html

Anyway, while waiting to see the end of JERSEY SHORE, which is the most insane of the SPG-rated realities, anyone heard about hapless workers drowned in a septic tank at Ali Mall on Quezon City? I know. That's horrible for those who got stuck in a septic tank.

(awwww)

Yeah, what tragic happening occurred. That septic tank at Ali Mall was too severe for someone to repair it. That made me wondering about the whole septic tank story....Could there be a woman at the septic tank?

What?

You know, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank...starring Eugene Domingo. Remember that film?

(audience laughing)

Hey Hammond. Hey! No time for septic tank hooligans We've got four drowned workers to worry about. No time for your rowdy behavior. Shall we move on?

Right and because it's just a few days before Series 7 premiere, that gave us thinking what to do while on the day of the world television premiere of BBC Doctor Who Series 7. For Whovians like you and me, there are many ways to do.

- In the UK, watch the series premiere of Doctor Who on BBC One and BBC One HD this September 1 at 7:20PM.
- For Americans, watch it on BBC America this September 1 at 9PM ET
- For Canadians, watch it on SPACE this September 1 at 9PM ET
- For our Aussie Whovians, catch it on the ABC iView website on September 2 at 5:10AM AEST.
- Missed the premiere or want to watch it again, buy this episode on Amazon.com Instant Video or iTunes on the day after it airs!

Wow! So many ways to watch the new season. And then who do you want to watch with?

I would by my friends, my family, my loved ones, even an whole army of Daleks, and even an Ood on the loo...

(audience laughing)

Ood on the loo?

...awkward....

Ood on the loo...

(audience laughing)

Take it easy. I would bring everyone from across time and space, even with my Time-Space Warp powers to watch the new season. I would bring them all to witness the return of Who. As always, NEVER APPLY LOGIC TO WHO...

Yeah...never apply logic to who. You're really sounded like a Whovian now. No wonder when did you became one of them. Are those Jelly Babies, fish fingers, custard, tea, and Jammie Dodgers ready on your table?

Exactly!

Great! See you on ASYLUM OF THE DALEKS! If you're brave enough to yell GERONIMO....(laughing)

Anyway, on the Paris Motor Show, Citroen will unveil it's answer to the Fiat 500C and it's called the DS3 Cabrio. It's like a DS3 but with the canvas top on it. Here it is, look...

2014 Citroen DS3 Cabrio

Uh-huh, it maybe Cabrio but this Sport Chic gets a canvas top just like the Fiat 500C. No doubt about it...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/08/all-new-citroen-ds3-cabrio-with-roll.html

Oh...speaking of which, could that be the successor to the stupid Citroen C3 Pluriel?

It's either a yes or a no but we'll see about that next year.

Okay then.

Now, at the Moscow International Auto Show, Jaguar unveiled a more powerful XFR and this was called the XFR SPEED PACK. It may have a 5.0L V8 engine that churns out 510HP of power but now, it can get a top speed of 280kph thanks to its modified ECU, a front apron and a rear diffuser.

Scoop: http://www.inautonews.com/jaguar-xfr-speed-pack-arrives-in-moscow#.UEBZqsHiaeE

Yeah, hate to admit it but this is 20kph slower than the XKR-S, which is still my favorite Jag to drive around the racetracks.

(awwww)

Uh...yeah....Hey! As we know, the London 2012 is over but now, there's the London 2012 Paralympics which was held on the same venue as the London 2012 a few weeks ago. It runs on 29 Aug to 9 Sept. Currently, China is on the lead that bags 15 medals while Australia bags 9 medals, and hosting country Great Britain bags 7 medals. As we told, this event runs until September 9 so we'll check out for more, okay?

Right. And on that bombshell, that's the news and we'll leave you with some interesting news straight from the roundabouts.

1) Mar Roxas is now DILG Chief: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/it-s-official--mar-roxas-is-new-dilg-chief.html

2) Blue Moon coming Friday night: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/blue-moon-rises-friday-watch-online-155534978.html

3) Senator Sotto said...he was being cyber-bullied? Is it because of the infringement about the RH Bill?: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/-sotto--i-m-the-first-senator-to-be-cyber-bullied.html

4) Helicopter crash in India: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/video/video-captures-chopper-crash-india-155407784.html

5) Is German hypercar maker Gumpert in financial troubles?: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/gumpert-declares-itself-provisionally-insolvent/

6) Third generation Mazda Atenza revealed in Moscow: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/2014-mazda6-mazda-6-reveal-moscow/

7) The final chapter of Okami-San manga has been published. : http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-30/okami-san-manga-final-chapter-published

2013 Ford Taurus and 2013 Lincoln MKS

2013 Ford Taurus

Here it is. This is the 2013 Ford Taurus and this is somewhat the Evos-fied facelift of the sixth generation Taurus, which is the best Taurus I have ever witnessed upon its three-year tenure. For this latest refresh, we'd expected a new face inspired from the Ford Evos concept car, new gizmos loaded depending on which variant, and some new choice of engines to expect. There is now the new and improved 2.0L Ti-VCT EcoBoost l4 engine, which generates about 240HP of power, 270lb-ft of torque, and estimated fuel economy of about 26MPG combined. A 3.5L 24-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V6 was offered and also the one that I quite like. It's the SHO Version which comes with the 3.5L Twin Turbo Charged Direct Injection EcoBoost V6 engine that peaks out about 365HP of power. All Tauruses have a conventional 6-speed Auto but the SHO comes with paddle shifters.

2013 Ford Taurus interior

Sure the interior remains the same but it appears the hard drive's have been completely new or in translation, Ford added the MyFord Touch with the a new head unit with 8" touch screen, steering wheel and interactive gauge cluster. There's more;  a heated steering wheel, all new Sony sound system featuring HD Radio and iTunes Tagging, Multicontour seats with Active Motion (massage), push-button start, auto high beams and a rear view camera were there to keep it a bit more luxurious. 

Anyway, word from the devil, the 2013 Taurus is a bit more refined for an average salaryman who wants to go out for work but for the SHO version this car is about as feistier as <! --metaphors involved!! -- > Nina Williams. Uh-huh, the sport-tuned shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings on the SHO really made it as sharp as a European sedan with added flying kicks. It's not as dynamic as an American muscle car but it's as mild as a Porsche and because it's 4WD, too much grip. No matter though, it's still more like a feisty female video game character I know but what if for those who don't want something feisty?

To put it this way, the standard 2013 Taurus costs about $26,600 up to $39,200 for the high-performance SHO. Actually this is a lot cheaper than any other European sports saloons I know but if the Taurus is not too luxurious, what's the point with this?

2013 Lincoln MKS

This is the 2013 Lincoln MKS. Even though this is a Ford Taurus in Lincoln's clothing, this facelift is a bit more...irritating to my eyes. It's like Cybermen vs. Daleks trying to design something but hey, this weird looking front face feels like it's even more scarier than the Weeping Angel but on the inside...well that's a different story.

2013 Lincoln MKS interior

That's a completely new interior for the 2013 MKS here. There's now the new MyLincoln Touch feature that allows me to make and receive phone calls hands-free, or even browse and play my favorite songs with voice recognition.

Although it uses the same platform as the Taurus, the MKS is offered with the 3.7L V6 engine or the high performance 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Because I'm sticking on the EcoBoost story, that engine generates about 365HP of power, same as the 2013 Taurus SHO. While the 3.7 V6 is FWD (with the optional AWD), the EcoBoost variant is 4WD, same case but sadly, the Lincoln MKS doesn't have the adjustable suspension as the Taurus. I'm afraid the driving feel for the MKS is a bit of faff. A BIT OF FAFF. Didn't like how it behaves because it feels like a Japanese luxury car that was made for the accountants, geography teachers, and someone named Brian.

Another concern was its pricing as the standard MKS with the 3.7L engine on it costs about $42,810, twice as the normal Taurus. So then, it's your choice really, you can either have the feisty one or the one that is a bit of a faff. Sadly though, both of them will lose. Just saying...

Renault Samsung SM3 L38 Minor Change

2013 Renault Samsung SM3

The second-generation Renault Samsung SM3 (L38) was been there for three years and this car deserves a minor change. Well, it happened now. The L38 SM3 now gets its facelift and this should be interesting.

SMART LIFE

For its facelift, the SM3 now has a new front design that provides modern dynamism for this car. This front grille on the facelifted SM3 seems like it came from the Kia Morning. Familiar? Afraid not but this new look is all about being stylish midsize sedan for the Korean yuppies. The 17-inch alloy wheels have given a new look to give it a bit more feel. Those redesigned front lamps, side mirrors, side body kit, refined door handles, and some cosmetic upgrades really try to keep the SM3 fresh and rejuvenated. On the inside, that's a different story because the instrumental panel's new to us and it's called Dynamic Color Digital Crystal. That seems to be somewhat familiar but this new instrumental really gives a clear view on the speed, the rev, the status, anything. However, the Dynamic Color Digital Crystal is not just new to this model, there's one thing that I really like and it's the new SM3's SMart Connect. This feature allows this navigation system's firmware to be updated via Wi-Fi and not just that, it gets you access to SK Telecom's MelOn mobile music portal service. That name is familiar for K-POP fans many because of the MelOn Music Awards but for those, MelOn is SK Telecom's mobile music portal service which is the world's first wired and wireless interworking music service that allows you to enjoy your favorite tunes anytime and anywhere. It's legal, you are first to listen the world's best songs, and SK offers real-time streaming and downloads through its Music Rental Service.

More info:  http://www.sktelecom.com/eng/html/service/WirelessInternet/Music.html 

Speaking of music, the BOSE Surround System was equipped on the more expensive versions to provide a better sound quality while driving. Listening to your greatest hits never sound so good on an everyday midsize sedan. Also, there is a massager on the driver's seat, heated seats, Samsung Plasma Ionizer, perfume diffuser, 3 zone aircon, and this smart i navigation feature. All those conveniences really add a nice touch on the revised SM3.

We're now into the twilight zone which is the performance. As of now, the SM3 offers only the 1.6L gasoline engine generates about 117HP of power and 16.1kg-m of torque. Because it was mated with the new XTRONIC CVT, the fuel economy is now 15km/L and CO2 emissions of 114.0g/km. It's now even more economical than ever because what Renault Samsung says that this is the best-in-class fuel economy.

Available colors are; Ultra Silver, White, Black, Mars Gary, Pearl White, Ebony Brown, and Oriental Red.

My comment:

The 2013 SM3 is not just even more dynamic in terms of exterior design but it's now made to be more technological thanks to its SMart Connect feature that Korean yuppies would make sense of. Sadly however, I didn't like it. That's it.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors

A Russian supercar is going to be featured in Most Wanted

Marussia B2

While every Need For Speed fan is craving for the upcoming Most Wanted video game, to be on sale in late 2012, there's another twist for this upcoming game. THEY'VE ADDED A RUSSIAN CAR! That's right! Need For Speed became the first to feature a Russian car! Specifically, this. the Marussia B2.

What's Marussia? Marussia was a Russian sports car maker founded by a former racing driver Nikolay Fomenko, renowned brand strategist Efim Ostrovsky, and award-winning technology entrepreneur Andrey Cheglakov in 2007. This company may be small but they have big dreams ever since the unveiling of its maiden car, the B1, in Moscow since 2008.

The Marussia B2 was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show and it serves as an evolution of Russia's first supercar.Under the bonnet lies a turbocharged 2.8L Cosworth engine that develops either 360 or 420HP of power and 600Nm of torque. In max power mode, this car can go 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and it can go over 250kph (150mph) of top speed. A 3.5L V6 engine was also offered, which generates 300HP of power.

Because it only weighs about 1100kg and armed with a pushrod suspension, the Marussia B2 makes it perfect to slip past against your rivals. Not only that, this is perfect when you're being chased by the cops because of the handling that makes you slip past law enforcers.

Need For Speed Most Wanted is coming this October 2012.

Scoop: http://games.cnews.ru/lenta/1739293

Forza 4 announces September Pennzoil Car Pack

Summer's over and autumn's just around the corner. For a proper summer send-off, Forza Motorsport 4 announces September Pennzoil Car Pack featuring 11 cars ranging from legendary classics, two SRT Viper GTS-R's, a Citroen DS4, and the van from the A-TEAM, specifically the GMC Vandura. Available September 4, 2012 for 560MSP, you'll be getting...

2013 Viper #91 SRT Motorsport GTS-R
2013 Viper #93 SRT Motorsport GTS-R
1968 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
1958 Austin-Healey Sprite MKI
1953 Chevrolet Corvette
1965 MG MGB GT
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR
1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1983 GMC Vandura G-1500
2011 Citroen DS4

Scoop: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/September_Pennzoil_Car_Pack/

Nissan Note E12

Anyway, we are very sad to say goodbye to the Nissan Tiida. No, we're not actually because this car's rubbish.

Right, we must unveil its replacement for the Tiida Nissan killed earlier. What do you think it is?

(audience talking)

Invitation? No. It looks like the Nissan Invitation concept car from Geneva, it isn't one.

Haven't learned of it at all eh? Can we show it?

Here we go!

This is the BIG moment!

2013 Nissan Note

It's a NISSAN!

(applause)

Specifically...the Nissan...

(applause continues)

...the Nissan Note E12, the second generation Nissan Note! This is the car that replaced the Nissan Tiida hatchback for good but made it redundant as a replacement. Anyway, the all new Nissan Note is the first ever Nissan to come with the all new HR12DDR supercharged 1.2L (DIG-S) engine that produces 98PS of power and it will go on with the class-leading fuel economy of 25.2km/L in the JC08 scale! The new Note also offers the HR12DE engine as offered from the Nissan March K13, which promises 22.6km/L of fuel economy! They're all mated with the new generation XTRONIC CVT that is now lighter, more compact, and surprisingly smoother!

2013 Nissan Note interior

Engineered in Europe, built in Japan, finished in blue, and its on sale next week to you for a reasonable 1,249,500 Yen!

2013 Nissan Note MEDALIST

That is reasonable but, the all new Nissan Note sees an all new variant and this trim level is familiar to Nissan fans many because that trim level name came from the deceased Nissan Laurel. It's called the MEDALIST and what you get on the Nissan Note Medalist are plated door handles, exclusive Beatnic Gold body color, suede-like cloth seats and artificial leather, piano-like center cluster finisher and genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel. This is when compact meets luxury!

For the first time ever, the all new Nissan Note now comes with the Around View Monitor, a first for this class, standard on MEDALIST and as a factory-installed option on X/X DIG-S/X-FOUR. This feature takes full use of four cameras installed in the front, both sides and rear. For an even bigger treat, the the Around View Monitor can be found...nope. Not on the sat-nav. It's on the rear view mirror! Fabulous!

2013 Nissan Note Autech Rider

For something sporty? Well, AUTECH Japan's got you covered with this Rider model. The Autech Rider version of the Nissan Note provides some sporty character thanks to its unique aero kit, 15-inch rims, available Fujitsubo muffler, and the AUTECH Rider emblem at the back to make sure this is the real thing.

Available colors? Well, because the Beatnic Gold Metallic being the exclusive color for the MEDALIST model, the available colors for the 2013 Note are Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Dark Metal Gray Metallic, Super Black, Radiant Red Pearl Metallic, Sonic Blue Pearl Metallic, and Aurora Mauve Multiflex.

PRICE LIST:

1.2 S - 1,249,500 Yen

1.2 X - 1,298,850 Yen

1.2 S DIG-S - 1,449,000 Yen

1.2 X DIG-S - 1,499,400 Yen

1.2 Medalist - 1,674,750 Yen

1.2 X FOUR - 1,557,150 Yen

Goodbye to the Tiida

Sorry if I had to get that stat from Top Gear, anyway, every year in Britain, over 2 million cars faced their deaths to the crusher and then, their parts got recycled into something else. Tires turned into carpets, dashboards turned into furniture, bodywork turned into washing machine. This whole recycle stuff is a bit cold and merciless to those cars who passed away.

That made us sad because cars are more than just tools to some, they're memories. One such example was the old Toyota Tamaraw. This car was not made to be displayed at the Concours D'Elegance in the Philippines but it was belonged to a long list of families for years. That car take mom from hospital when their kids were born. They took their kids to school, and then when the kids were grown up, it served as a one way ticket to freedom. Sadly, the old FX will face its maker because when a car dies, it serves as a death of a member of a family.

Now, we find ourselves in that very position because we now bid farewell to a certain Nissan.

Nissan Tiida

The old Nissan Tiida that was launched in Japan in September 2004. As a machine, it wasn't destined to set the automotive industry a light but it certainly set some memories. Think about The Secrets of Tiida. There are so many secrets why the Tiida is truly a global small compact. Compact meets luxury, that's why the Tiida was born to be. What a life has been....

But now, the Nissan Tiida is at the end of its life and because of the circumstances that Nissan will never ever sell the Tiida C12, as seen in last year's Shanghai Auto Show, in Japan, we regret that the TIIDA MUST DIE.

Tiida may die here...

But before we ever kill the Tiida, we decided to give it a proper send-off by lapping this car round the Top Gear Test Track. Are the annotations ready?

The Nissan Tiida did it in 1:43.876, so...we'll be killing the Tiida now because Nissan stop producing the Tiida in June 2012 and it will joining the list of this year's Japanese cars we bid sayonara and they're headed to the Great Crusher In The Sky such as the Honda Legend, Honda Inspire (Accord), Toyota Belta, Daihatsu Copen, Toyota Blade, Pajero Mini, and the Mazda RX-8. What should we do to say sayonara to our heroic Nissan Tiida?

Simple, we'll crash the Nissan Tiida, full speed ahead but no. We're not doing that. We'll be using Forza Motorsport 4 to kill the Nissan Tiida by our own bare hands. Apparently, this was the right thing to do for the Tiida because if I was a Japanese compact car being driven by customers worldwide a million times, this is fate I want to choose. The Nissan Tiida compact car will be doing seppuku (切腹), which is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, but this is a different kind of seppuku. With enough speed, the Nissan Tiida will be easily disintegrate when crashed. That's right. It's a harakiri (腹切り) for the Nissan Tiida.

Nissan Tiida before its hara-kiri

With the assembled mourners looking resplendent in high-visibility jackets, the hara-kiri ritual commences...

Nissan Tiida

Nissan Tiida interior

The Nissan Tiida's dignified seppuku...nearly

And there we are. A dignified seppuku....nearly...

That's pretty shoddy. I was suppose to think that it should be disintegrated into many bits but I mean look at that...oh my God...

REST IN PEACE, NISSAN TIIDA

2004 - 2012

May the Driving Gods bless your soul

(applause)

You idiot...

What?

You idiot...

What?

This was supposed to be a seppuku for this car but what's this? It's lame! That's not what a seppuku the Nissan Tiida supposed to do...

Oh...

Anyway, we are very sad to say goodbye to the Nissan Tiida, but we're not because it's rubbish...

Let's Do The News! (August 28, 2012)

And now the news, now Toyota's G's or G Sports is what Nissan is for Autech and what Honda is for Modulo. Earlier, we've examined the facelifted 2013 Toyota Mark X and just announced that there is now the much awaited Mark X G's sports conversion model. Here's the pic...

2013 Toyota Mark X G's

2013 Toyota Mark X G's

Hmmm...interesting bit Hammo, looks even more better than those prototypes we saw from the past Tokyo Auto Salons and hey...is this the final production model? Is this really the real Mark X G's?

Exactly. It's the real deal. Gazoo-related handling upgrades and aero kits were placed to give it some more sharpness to the Mark X and it's available on models such as the 350S and 250G S Package, the Sports Type as we know it.

So...how much were those?

About 4,200,000 yen for the 350S G's and 3,590,000 yen for the 250G S Package G's. They'll be in the TOYOPET showrooms this October, as Toyota said.

URL: http://toyota.jp/markx/gs/index.html

Speaking of which, is the G's sports conversion version of the Mark X looked even better than some of the customize car lineup? I mean look at these...

2013 Toyota Mark X

There's this exterior dress up parts for the 2013 Mark X. Does that satisfy you?

Uh no....

What about the TRD Sportivo version?

2013 Toyota Mark X

Uh...yes but sadly, it's a bit too flashy...

Then what about this? Modellista version of the 2013 Mark X?

2013 Toyota Mark X

Well yes, but specifically, I'd prefer the +M SUPERCHARGER  version. Toyota Mark X +M SUPERCHARGER adds supercharging on its 3.5L V6 engine and it produces about 360PS of power. That's the thing I like if the G's version is not good enough.

(oooohhh)

Yes, indeed. I'd agree to that but...OH!!!

What is it?

I've just heard that there's another DLC catalog for the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 and guess what?

What?

For good news though; they picked up costumes as seen from the XBOX 360 version such as Hot Summer Citrus, Twilight Safari, and Honeycomb Astronaut. Bad news though, they had new costumes made specifically for the PS3 version such as the highlight of the DLC Caralog 11 known as...

Known as what? Is this going to piss them off?

Full Bloom Yukata Dress. Also exclusive for the PS3 version was the black bikinis as seen on THE IDOLM@STER G4U Vol. 6.

URL:  http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/dlc/catalog11.php

That really disappoints us. As we know, XBOX 360 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2 has better costumes than the PS3 version. As we told, how come they're different when it comes to downloadable content? PS3 exclusive DLCs for THE IDOLM@STER 2 is a bit very very rubbish as we knew it...

Yeah...and in case you wanna know what I have in my hand....can you guess what I'm holding?

Uh....

SEVERAL GUESSES LATER...

Nope. You're wrong. Because, I have this!

TARDIS Self-Destruct Device?

A cookie?

Nope. It's the TARDIS Self Destruct Device. There's a TARDIS around this house and if you guys don't shut up, I might was well blow this whole place with you on it!! Get it? I'll blow you away with a push of a button.

TARDIS...Self Destruct device? Is that really a TARDIS self destruct device?

(eating) Uh no. Just a jammie dodger. Jammie dodgers.

(audience laughing)

TARDIS Self Destruct device is non existent. Just jammie dodgers.

(eating) Yeah, but I'd promise some tea. Imagine if I went head to head against the Daleks and showing these to them, thinking that I'm going to take them with me when I use this...TARDIS self destruct device....

...and Daleks know that it's not a real thing and then you eat it, saying that it's a jammie dodger. We saw that....Jammie dodger fan...

(audience laughing)

Speaking of jammie dodgers, the US screening of Doctor Who Series 7 opener titled Asylum of the Daleks went out very successful. Very successful indeed and oh, can you guess the ride that Matt and Karen rode to the premiere?

It's a DeLorean.

DeLorean? Taking The Doctor and Amy to New York for the premiere? Riding in another time machine? What a card. (laughing)

Yeah, kinda embarrassing to see Doctor Who riding shotgun in the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future trilogy movies. But hey...speaking of jammie dodgers, are they ready for Saturday?

Yes. We're ready. From fish fingers, custards, jammie dodgers, and some tea. We're ready for Saturday's TV premiere of the 7th season of Doctor Who. BBC One, BBC One HD, BBC America, Space, they're all ready to go.

Okay. Enough about that now, and let's warn folks around the Philippines that Typhoon Igme returns to the Philippines and cause too much misery for us until Wednesday. Too much mystery...

Huh? Typhoon Igme returns? But why?

Fujiwara effect due to Typhoon Julian.

Oh, okay. Anyway, stay safe folks!

Right. Anyway, just only two races left for this year's IndyCar 2012 season and in Sonoma, there's been a drama out there. It seems that Ryan Hunter-Reay's been upset about Alex Tagliani's results in last week's Sonoma race. Here's the clip....

Hunter-Reay's reaction, the incident, and Tagliani's explanation really added the drama on IndyCar. Anyway,  have you guys seen the NASCAR IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway?

(audience murmuring)

Yeah, we've seen Danica Patrick's horrible crash on that venue but luckily though, she survived....just...



What luck for Danica Patrick to survive a horrible crash. Let's admit that NASCAR is definitely one of the most dangerous motorsports of all time because of crashes always occur because of racers getting too close for a slipstream. Glad I'm wasn't part of this race...

(audience laughing)

Me too...and speaking of which, we were kinda emotional for Atsuko Maeda leaving AKB48 for good. Right before she packed her bags and wave goodbye to Japan-favorite AKB48, she said that she wants to study in the USA, one part of USA to be precise, New York.

(oooohhh)

Uhhh....

...and speaking of which, because she left AKB48, the Atsuko Maeda's no longer being under AKB48's ban on romance. I mean seriously, it's the rule that no AKB48 member has romantic connections whatsoever unless you are graduated. I mean yeah, Atsuko Maeda now left AKB48 and now, she's free to do whatever she wants.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-08-27/akb48-atsuko-maeda-wants-to-study-abroad-in-new-york

Speaking of which....we just heard that in the authors' comments section for Square Enix's Monthly Gangan Joker magazine, the manga artist named Eito Chida said that the manga version of Hanasaku Iroha has come to an ending in the October issue this September 22.

(awwww)

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-26/hanasaku-iroha-artist-eito-chida-reveals-manga-end

Very sorry if we've seen you spitting your coca-colas in front of your desks or doing some unpredictable stuff but indeed it's bad news for the fans of Hanasaku Iroha. This really is a bombshell and that's the news!