Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Indonesian Golden Gate bridge disaster!

Markham II bridge tragedy


Would you look at that? This is just like what happen at some Final Destination movie where the teenage boy notices that the bridge is about to collapse. Well, this here's no movie, this is real. In a country like Indonesia, a bridge that resembles San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge over the Mahakam River was unexpectedly collapsed, leaving 11 people killed and over 30 are believed to be missing after the tragedy.

It's hard to count how many people are missing on the Indonesia Mahakam II Bridge Tragedy because nobody knows how many cars and people fell due to "zero visibility".

Our thoughts belong to those who are affected from this tragedy.


Photo: Reuters

A very aggressive hatchback

What a mean looking face!


Appeared via the November Speed DLC, the new 2012 Audi RS3 Sportback is one red-hot hatchback that you can only try this on Forza Motorsport 4. On straight lines, this hatchback performs a perfect launch because of its 4WD drivetrain but because of this layout, perhaps the handling is wasn't as sharper as the Renaultsport Megane because it's somewhat heavy.

A Tale of Two Latecomers

When I tried out round the Top Gear Test Track, it did better than my modified Starion but relax, take it easy, there are other B-class cars that are way better than my RS3 full-tuned to B-Class standards. Because this one's colored red, just imagine if you were at the Red Team of a game of Top Gear Soccer, you could be the captain of the team.

Nope, it's not official...yet.
A car like the Audi RS3 can be somewhat very unresponsive when it comes to cornering because of its weight but it takes a lot of practice to master the fundamentals of the new Audi RS3 Sportback.

A big-time mob threat

As some found out a few moments ago, we read something from the Top Gear magazine, and they rated the Audi RS3 Sportback a 12 out of 20. The staff must have preferred the sound of the engine but the electric power steering was a huge disadvantage. Guess their proof from Top Gear were right, maybe this RS3 Sportback is hard to handle on tight corners, especially at the Nurburgring. Right now, I'd better suit up my Stig costume and drive the RS3 Sportback round the Top Gear Test Track while listening to the theme song of Twin Spica.

A very different approach for this Taiwanese politician

As some may found out that there was an election taking place at Taiwan this January 14, 2011. For a city councilor in Taipei, who is running for Legislative Yuan (the unicameral legislature of Taiwan), named Chien Yu-yen, she made a very different approach to encourage supporters to vote for her, which is somewhat very odd. Something that our country should have pulled that approach for next elections.

Ms. Chien Yu-yen uses a "Moe" character of herself on the campaign poster and other promotional goods which is somewhat very eccentric indeed. Of course, this "bishoujo character" style campaigning for Ms. Chien Yu-yen could be a good idea to attract Taiwanese voters who are fond of Japanese pop culture but will it work?

Monday, November 28, 2011

The new Suzuki Swift Sport (ZC32S)

2012 Suzuki Swift Sport


The Suzuki Swift Sport is back!

Based on the ZC72S Suzuki Swift that was launched in Autumn 2010, the all new Suzuki Swift Sport is ready to drive hard, drive harder, and drive hard with a vengeance. Think you're ready to live free and drive hard? Firstly, the new Swift Sport's design is heavily inspired from the Suzuki Swift S Concept as seen on 2011 Geneva Motor Show last March. This provides aggressive looks, improved aerodynamics and some sporty character most Suzuki enthusiasts would love to enjoy. This provides the concept term "the sporty flagship" referring that this is Suzuki's flagship hot hatch.


2012 Suzuki Swift Sport interior


The new interior is somewhat intriguing. At first glance, it looks the same as the regular Swift but this has comes with a different instrumental panel, red stitching at the steering wheel, and sports seats at the front that also comes with red stitching, that makes it well tailored and bold for the driver to get inside and drive through the Shutokou at night.


2012 Suzuki Swift Sport



It might be a hot hatch that you can use it on the road and on racetrack but the Swift Sport is all about balance of performance and ecology. It is powered by the M16A engine that produces 136PS of power and 160Nm of torque. When the Swift Sport's equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission (available December 2011), it will achieve 14.8km/L JC08 of fuel economy and if the Swift Sport's equipped with the CVT that comes with 7-speed Manual Mode (available late January 2012), it will achieve a fuel economy of 15.6km/L JC08. Best of all, it has Euro-tuned suspension that is capable to take on most corners like for instance, the touge or the toughest curves of Japanese racetracks.

Available in six colors; Champion Yellow, Premium Silver Metallic, Super Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Ablaze Red Pearl, and Boost Blue Pearl Metallic.

My comment:
I'm glad that the Swift Sport's back for this current generation model and this would be proven to be more fun to drive, more fun to own thanks to its Euro-tuned suspension, 6-speed manual variant, and its improved aerodynamics. Still, this car is not somewhat very recommended if you're not ready to take on the new challenges led by the new Swift Sport. It could be a perfect track-day car but it is not all right for the new Swift Sport to surpass against its rivals.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

4th-Generation Honda CR-V (RM1/RM4)

When the first CR-V launched since 1995, this marks as the first Honda SUV ever built and as of now, there are so many CR-V models on the road today. After being on service for over a decade, undergoing model changes and extensive testing, the Honda CR-V is truly the most memorable SUV made by Honda for enthusiasts and aficionados.

Now, as the Christmas season is fast approaching, the Honda CR-V is now on its fourth-generation and what surprises await on its 4th generation of Honda's first full-fledged SUV ever made?


2012 Honda CR-V


The all new 4th generation CR-V has an decent-looking interior that is somewhat more resemble of Korean and European crossovers of today, even though this one's Japanese. On the front view, it is somewhat radical and sporty but it can be somewhat weird. At the side view, it remains the look from the previous, third-generation CR-V, and the rear view, seems that it was copied from the Volvo XC60 and that was rubbish and I do mean rubbish. Overall, the new design seems to be more intriguing.


2012 Honda CR-V interior


What's more intriguing is the interior. It's now well accommodated and well tailored than the previous generation CR-V while retaining its 5-seater capacity. However it looks somewhat copied from the Kia Sportage R but when you noticed the "ENGINE START STOP" button, this button's now colored in red, which is somewhat a minor contrast, well it's a start. For added capacity, the 2nd row seats can be folded to accommodate more luggage for your next adventure but it can be somewhat very easy to fold the seats thanks to the lift of the lever at the back. The catchiest part of the new interior is the new Center Display that checks directions, fuel consumption, song played, and others, which is not bad for the new model. To keep drivers motivated, Honda's Internavi got them covered. So much innovation offered to keep them happy on this new model.


2012 Honda CR-V


The new Honda CR-V now offers two variants: one with the R20A engine and CVT and the other one with the K24A engine, 5-speed paddle shift transmission, and improved Real Time AWD. First, the Honda CR-V 20G variant can give you about 150PS of power, 191Nm of torque, and 14.4km/L JC08 of fuel economy. The new Honda CR-V 24G still remains the same as the previous model, meaning nothing's change at the 190PS power, 222Nm torque, and 11.6km/L JC08 fuel economy. However, the 24G features the new REAL TIME AWD system, modified to help provide traction in low-grip driving conditions such as snow, rain and unpaved road surfaces.

The new Honda CR-V is offered in six exterior colors; White Orchid Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Blackish Pearl, Twilight Blue Metallic, Alabaster Silver Metallic, and Basque Red Pearl

My comment:
This new model is now grown to be somewhat intriguing because of the design cues that highly derived from Korean and European crossovers and how can people react about this new model is still confidential for now. The new CR-V is proven to be somewhat economical thanks to its new 2.0L petrol variant offered but as for the 2.4L variant, it has the improved version of the REAL TIME AWD for enhanced traction and stability, providing the will to corner well at the curves.

The new CR-V isn't just a good Japanese crossover but it is just a good car for a stop. This new model deserves to be in the Philippines by next year but only after Thailand was recovered from the massive flooding.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Formula One 2011 Finals

The Formula One Grande Premio Petrobras Do Brasil 2011 held at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo, Brazil, marks the end of the Formula One 2011 season with Red Bull Racing came a 1-2 finish. Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber emerged as the victor of the Brazilian GP race and Sebastian Vettel, 2-time world champ came 2nd despite gearbox problems.

F1 racers Vitantonio Liuzzi, Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado, and Timo Glock were retired from the race after facing several problems.


And the 2011 Formula One season came to a climax with Sebastian Vettel emerged as the Formula One 2011 World Champ, while Jenson Button was in 2nd place and Mark Webber's in 3rd place. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

Wow Mali pranks - November 27, 2011

Pranks pulled on the November 27, 2011 episode of Wow Mali:

1) Doray Alaskadora - Doray teaches us how to get rid of our blackheads and some acne with her tongs!

Do you have blackheads?

2) Takbo Para Sa Federacion - The Wonder Gays are running for their cause!

3) Surprise Goons - Don't let someone letting you inside because inside, there are goons waiting to kick your butt...with squirters!

4) Sirit Softdrinks - The classic "put a Mentos in a softdrink" trick really kicked the victims' butts.

5) Binti plus Binti - We meant to say that his legs must have mean "Twenty".

6) Star Confusion - On everyone's favorite Wow Mali segment, Star Confusion, Mel Martinez and Angelica Jones got confused!

Mel Martinez

Angelica Jones

7) Leon Guerero - Don't worry, this lion won't eat you. He wants to say hi!

8) Like Father, Like Son - Little boy asks his dad what's the meaning of those confusing words. Dad explains very confusing meanings. Better get your dictionary!

- Deficient - ang pasyente?

- Delight - ang ilaw?

- Unstable - ang lamesa?

- Terminate - inaanay?

- Intuition - matrikula?

Sunday, November 27, 2011

BANANA SPLIT CLOWN IN A MILLION UPDATE 11/26/11

That's right. Six contestants left and if five are remaining, no more immunity. However, the remaining five will have goodies from Union Appliances.

The remaining six; James, Mimi, Leo, Onse, Super Tekla, and Karen pulled out their Flip Top rap battles.

The result; Karen Dematera has the best Flip Top! James Caraan countered his elimination thanks to his immunity from the previous round. So for now, nobody's booted off and the six clowns will compete for the Top 5 spot. No immunity, that's it. As said, the Top 5 will get goodies from Union Appliances. Tune in to Banana Split to see if your clown make it to the top 5!

TVR reborn!

TVR Sagaris


Blackpool-based sportscar maker, TVR, seems to be now turned into somewhat an endangered brand, the way things were until now, Russian businessman, Nikolai Smolensky, plans to revive the TVR by restarting production in the United Kingdom and you will never guess what comes in their TVR price list.

All of the TVR names; Sagaris, Tuscan, Cerbera, Chimaera, and Griffith, will cost 99,600 British Pounds Sterling or an estimated 7,000,000 Philippine Pesos and they are built "on order to the individual specification of the customer". However, most TVR models will be fitted by a 6.2L V8 engine that produces 426hp of power and 420lb-ft of torque, LSD, aircon, central locking, leather seats, stainless steel exhaust, CD Radio, and USB Connectivity!

Own a TVR in the past? They can upgrade your old TVR with the 6.2L V8 but it will cost you 36,000 British Pounds Sterling or an estimated 2.5 million Philippine Pesos!

Sounds expensive but we're glad that TVR's back from the grave!

Toyota 86 revealed!

Toyota 86

When the FT-86 Concept was premiered at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, it seems that Toyota's trying the step to return to its sportscar roots. Well, over the years since the MR-S discontinued, Toyota never made sports cars but interests belong to its luxury brand, Lexus, for the LFA supercar. Now, Toyota revealed the much awaited production version of the FT86 Concept under the name "Toyota 86". I'm not sure if this is the official name to be used on Toyota's sportscar that was a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru. I read some reports that the name will be "GT86" but still we don't know what's the name will be...

Anyway, to commemorate the revelation of Toyota 86, Japanese motoring journalist Manabu Kawaguchi test drives the pre-production Toyota 86 models.



Yes. I'm glad that Toyota's back. FUN TO DRIVE, AGAIN! The Toyota 86 will come out in the Spring of 2012.

The naughty Volvo S60 in Forza Motorsport 4

Journey to the wedding


A game like Forza Motorsport 4 never gotten this naughty because the arrival of the NAUGHTY VOLVO served this point. The naughty Volvo S60 R-Design is going to be the naughtiest Volvo you will only meet on Forza 4.

Imagine if this is our car to Tagaytay?!

This Volvo S60 R-Design is a T6 AWD model. I'd say that this model is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L 6-cylinder engine that produces 300HP of power and 324LB-FT of torque. When I got inside this NAUGHTY VOLVO, it feels like that this is somewhat a good alternative to the Subaru Legacy B4 BM9 but this NAUGHTY VOLVO is always ready to have a massive fistfight. I should say that this makes me losing my cool when I drive it too long. In multiplayer, this car always trying to show its "BEDLAM & BRAWLS" to its rivals.

This is going to be a naughty Top Gear episode, yet!

Classified as a B-Class vehicle, the Volvo S60 seems to be perfect for a game of soccer or Keep The It but it's the owners' judgement that decide the fate of the naughty Volvo S60 R-Design. We know, you might like it from the looks of it but would you like it for its performance? Not sure but be patient.

Naughty Stig is coming!

Despite my experiences with this, I am very glad to see Forza Motorsport 4 featured this Naughty Volvo S60.


Forte Hatchback vs. i30 vs. Cruze5

2011 Kia Forte Hatchback


2012 Hyundai i30

2012 GM Korea Chevrolet Cruze5

The Forte Hatchback, new i30, and the Cruze5. What does these three have in common? They're both made in Korea and these Korean-made hatchbacks deserve a ship's passage to Cagayan, well kind of...

First off, the Kia Forte Hatchback was launched in South Korea since September 2010 as the expansion for the Kia Forte lineup. As of now, all Kia Forte models are equipped with the 1.6-L Gamma GDI I4 petrol engine that produces 140hp of power and 17.0kg-m of torque. AT versions can accumulate 15.7km/L while MT versions can accumulate 16.6km/L.

Then, the Chevrolet Cruze5 is the debutante and an additional model to the Korean-made Chevrolet Cruze. Since March 2011, the Daewoo Lacetti Premiere has been renamed to Chevrolet Cruze as part of shaking off the criticized Daewoo brand to make way for Chevrolet's South Korea launch. Unlike the Forte Hatchback, which is available only in petrol engine, the Cruze5 is available in 1.8L ECOTEC petrol and 2.0 VCDi diesel engine. Sadly, no manual transmission offered, just a 6-speed automatic transmission. First, the 1.8L ECOTEC petrol engine produces 142hp of power and 17.8kg-m of torque. It can achieve a fuel economy of 13.7km/L. That petrol engine powered the Cruze5 is proven to be more powerful than the Forte Hatchback. Here on the 2.0L VCDi engine, it produces 163hp of power, 36.7kg-m of torque, and 15.9km/L of fuel economy.

Lastly is the second-generation Hyundai i30. Launched in Korea since October 20, 2011, the second-generation Hyundai i30 is the second member of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab sub-brand. Like the previous model, the Hyundai i30 uses a platform lifted from the Hyundai Avante/Elantra. It follows the "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy and this design for the new i30 is dubbed as the "Aero Active" concept. Surprisingly though, the new i30 features Flex Steer, which allows the driver to switch through three different modes; Comfort, Normal, and Sport. I kinda like the Sport mode because it sharpens the suspension system and this makes the new i30 feel more European to handle. Although it has a GDi 1.6L engine lifted from its Forte Hatchback cousin, the new i30 also comes with a 1.6 CRDi-VGT diesel engine that produces 128hp of power and 26.5kg-m of torque. An i30 1.6 VGT with 6-speed auto can go as much as 20km/L while the i30 1.6 VGT with 6-speed manual can go as much as 23.0km/L. Unlike the Forte Hatchback, the new i30 has a BlueSaver variant which uses IDLE STOP & GO that allows its 1.6 GDi engine to shut off automatically when stopped, providing reduced emissions and 17.3km/L of fuel economy.

So the verdict is that the new i30 is more fuel efficient and more fun to drive than the Kia Forte Hatchback and the Chevrolet Cruze 5. That's not the end of it because the new i30 has an impressive looking design but that's only in the front. The Cruze5 has a better looking rear that is somewhat original. The Forte Hatchback? Well, better luck next time.