Audi S8 (D4)

Two years ago, I discovered the third generation Audi A8 and on my observation, the new Audi A8 is one of the most advanced German premium full-size sedans ever made because of its sophisticated wizardry applied from head to toe. I love its design despite being the same as the old one, I love its legroom, I love its sat-nav, I love its Google Earth feature, I love its Bang & Olufsen audio system, I love everything. This Audi A8 is all about the ART OF PROGRESS. And now, a more tamed Audi S8 is here to suppress the most of the fat, boring, middle-aged, businessmen and make them feel like a hitman.

2013 Audi S8

2013 Audi S8

On the outside, you'd expect the same A8 exterior but because this is the S version, the Golf GTi of the Audi A8 range, you can expect a beefed up exterior that feels like it was injected with steroids. It kinda feels like an evil kapre showing up hundred percent of his power and tries to shake a young adventurer half to death. Yep, like an evil kapre on steroids. That's what that is.

The old S8 had a V10 FSI engine that is somewhat a blue-collar version of the Lamborghini V10 engine expected from the Gallardo. On this new one, downsizing was occurred and now, the magnificent Lamborghini-derived V10 engine has been thrown away for good and replaced it with a 4.0 V8 TFSi engine.

Audi V8 TFSi engine

Sometimes, downsizing is bad because most car enthusiasts think that engine downsizing is more like a downgrade but you have to think again because sometimes. downsizing is good because on this new 4.0L V8 TFSi engine, it can go 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, it has 520PS of power, 70 more than the old one, and 80lb-ft additional torque, a lot more torques, and it's quick! The reason why this new V8 engine equipped on the new D4 series Audi S8 is quicker and more powerful than the old S8 is simple, it was the twin turbos mounted on it. In reality, most European car makers have to rely on turbocharging if they want to pass stringent emission standards. Anyway, the new S8 is mated with an 8-speed tiptronic transmission and it comes with an idling stop system. The fuel economy of the new S8 is 10,1 l/100km combined and CO2 emissions of 235 g/km.

With such power do come with the price. It costs 111,900 Euros and there are some options and accessories that will make it a bit complicating. Let's see...um...For a 21-inch 5-spoke rotor-design rims, that will cost 2,100 Euros. 7,800 Euros for the Audi design selection interior, 920 Euros to have the car connected with Bluetooth Connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspot, 3,020 Euros for the seat massage, 490 Euros for the rear view camera, so on so forth. It takes a flappy-paddle head to spend that! What are those?! I'm confused!!!!

Available colors are Brilliantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Havannaschwarz Metallic, Oolonggrau Metalic, Quarzgrau Metallic, Smaragdschwarz Metallic, Prismsilber Kristalleffekt, Phantomschwarz Perleffeket. Daytonagray Perleffekt, Impalabeige Perleffekt, and Nachtblau Perleffekt.

My comment:

Even though the new S8 costs 111,900 Euros and it has a turbocharged V8 engine more powerful than the old V10 engine it replaces, this new S8 will try to tempt you that the king of German premium sedans has now became a lab rat's gym. Trust me on this, if you're gone crazy with this, you are going down.

Photo: AUDI AG

One down, 76 to go...

One-77 crash

The Aston Martin One-77, a million pound car that is limited to 77 units and it's already sold out, fast. Now, in Hong Kong, here comes the very first One-77 wreckage. That is one down, 76 to go. Perhaps it should have been renamed One-76. Get it? One-76 because the 77th is gone in Hong Kong.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/rare-aston-martin-one-77-exotic-crashes.html

Volvo V40

With the entry-level Volvo S40 sedan and its wagon counterpart, the V50, officially officially DEAD, as in no more, discontinued, axed, bye-bye, disappeared on the Volvo lineup, the V40 name, as you are utterly familiar with this as the wagon counterpart of the first generation S40, has been revived from the start as Volvo's new 5-door hatchback that you can think of it as a C30 taking a Cialis. Oh wait, the Volvo C30 is DEAD too, I forgot to tell you...

2013 Volvo V40

With the S40 sedan, C30 3-door hatch, and the V50 wagon gone for good and off to the junkyard in the sky, this Nya Volvo V40 cannot act the same thing as those three does. It does not have the handling credentials of the C30, the riding comfort of the S40, and the versatility of the V50. I mean seriously, this new V40 was made to compete the likes of the Citroen DS4, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Renault Megane, and the Volkswagen Golf.

A Brit designer, Peter Horbury, said that the new Volvo V40 is the last Volvo to be designed by him before he transfer himself to the company that recently owned Volvo, which is Geely from China. That sounds weird but the Volvo design DNA first applied on the XC60 and the second-generation S60 is a reach for the V40 but sad to say, this design feels like a V60 with its shortened length. It's like doing something with a ball pen back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. You see?

2013 Volvo V40 interior

Inside the V40, what you expect is somewhat a mash-up between the familiar buttons you can find on the now defunct S40, in-dash monitor with sat-nav straight from the S60 and the instrumental panel, well, this is a bit too futuristic, to be fair. This instrumental panel maybe new to us but it changes if you select three driving modes; if someone is focused on performance, the V40's instrumental panel goes all red hot, if you're driving in normal mode, the instrumental panel's all a bit simple but if you're focused on Eco Driving, the instrumental panel's all green and an Eco Guide is seen at the left side. If that wasn't put you, how about looking at the roof of the V40? What you see here is a huge panoramic glass roof which can be a bit too problematic if bright sunlight comes directly at you. Talk about a design flaw but still, the V40 accommodates up to five people, 335L of load capacity, 1073mm of front leg room, 847mm of rear leg room, 953mm of front head room, and that's it.

2013 Volvo V40

There are various variants of the V40 available such as the 115HP D2, 150HP D3, 177HP D4, 150HP T3, and 180HP T4. Those choices may come with either a 6-speed manual and for some, a 6-speed automatic transmission for those who are not hairy chested. A V40 D2 variant will have a combined fuel consumption of 3.6L/100km while the turbocharged V40 T3 will have 5.4L/100km of combined fuel consumption. Most variants do come with an idling stop system that shuts off when stopped and then start again when your foot is on the pedal, to save fuel. Overall, most of these are certified EURO 5 COMPLIANT. Stefan Jacoby said that the V40 wraps you in a much comfortable interior with such ergonomics and technology that will make you feel informed, focused, and relaxed. I kinda agree to that but no. That's not far enough.

There are tons of safety features offered on the Volvo V40 such as Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Park Assist Pilot, Lane Keeping Aid, City Safety with automatic braking and then there was the world's first PEDESTRIAN AIRBAG. What is it? How does the V40's pedestrian airbag work?





So, convinced how the pedestrian airbag works? It's somewhat an airbag bolted to the V40 bonnet and it inflates when this car hit the pedestrian, saving a life in an event of an unfortunate accident. We know this is a world's first feature but take extreme precautions about this pedestrian airbag because not most of the time this new feature works in an event of a collision between you and the pedestrian.

The Volvo V40's colors include; Svart, Passion rod, Ice vit, Silver, Svart Metallic, Titanium gra, Caspian bla, Flaminco rod, Biarritz bla, Vibrant koppar, Raw Copper, Misty Blue, and Electric silver.

My Comment:

So, a very complicating new feature, a panoramic glass roof that can be somewhat a design flow, class leading driving dynamics, and a proof that the V40 is not a replacement to the S40, C30, and the V50. You might think that this nya V40 has the handling of the C30, the riding comfort of the S40, and the versatility of the V50, fused into one Scandinavian packaging but this new Volvo has a long way to go. If I were driving this car, I am not somewhat likely to be succumbed by the V40's elegance, sportiness, and the versatility. You have to think better than that, Volvo. It takes Juan to know Juan but in here, it doesn't.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Let's Do The News! (May 29, 2012)

You were saying that you've checked around the refrigerator and the pantry and you found out that there's not enough snacks for us, now?

Yes indeed. And just look at it! Look how horrible it is when you see a ref and the cabinet empty handed.

How about the cereal?

We don't have milk!

Oh! You have cereals...

Most cereals we have like Corn Flakes are rubbish!

Why?

No taste! I only prefer cereals like Frosted Flakes, Trix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Special K.

Oh I see. Speaking of which...what did you do?

I bought something next door such as Nestea, some Ice cream, some diet Coca-Cola, and that's it...To fum the habit.

Oh okay....

Now anyway, I picked up some news that our favorite Boy Pick Up is going to have a movie this June 6, 2012. It's titled BOY PICK UP THE MOVIE.

(ooohhh)

BOY PICK UP?

Indeed. This movie will delve deeper about Bubble Gang's tamed pickupista. It stars none other than Ogie Alcasid as BOY PICK UP, Solenn Heusaff, and Dennis Trillo as Bagwis, who serves as Boy Pick Up's main rival at the movie.

Wait! Bagwis? Main rival of Boy Pick Up? I thought it was Dahon because...um...you know, Dahon likes to throw everything he got but his tactics get foiled by Boy Pick Up.

(audience laughing)

That's different but still Dahon is here in the movie. Antonio Aquitania to you. Also coming are Boy2 Quizon as Push Back, the Moymoy Palaboy duo as Sukli and Bagoong, and of course Sam Pinto as Neneng B. Arriving on the movie were Gwen Zamora, Jackie Rice, Ellen Adarna, Sarah Lahbati, Diego, Eri Neeman, Pepe Smith and Lilia Cuntapay. And that wouldn't complete without Michael V as Mcbits! AYT! AYT! KATAHIMIKAN! KATAHIMIKAN!

(audience laughing)

Scoop: http://www.gmanetwork.com/films/articles/2012-05-28/33/Boy-Pick-Up-The-Movie-in-theaters-beginning-June-6#list

Oh, I'm so wanna see that film. It's just another one of Bubble Gang faves get the movie treatment. The next big thing since ANG SPOILED.

You know what I like about Boy Pick Up?

What?

Some say...he's explosive...

BAKIT?!

BOOM!!!!

(audience laughing and applause)

That's Boy Pick Up catchphrase! BOOM!

Henyo ka Pick Up!!

(applause continues)

I'm so into that! Now, anyway. Bad news.

What?

You know K-On? It's a mega popular manga turned into anime and last year's movie. Now I picked by some info that the manga's high school edition ends this June 28 while the college edition ends this June 9.

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-26/k-on-manga-high-school-edition-to-end-in-june

Hold on...High school edition? College edition? What was that?

Remember back in April 2011, moments after the part of the manga where the K-ON movie came from, the K-ON manga spawned two stories; the college edition highlights Mio, Yui, Ritsu, and Tsumugi in their college days while the High School edition highlights Azu-nyan, Ui, Jun, and others moments after the original four were graduated.

Oh, never heard of that....

There you go. Sad to say that both of them are reaching the grand finale.

(Awww)

That was verified at the July 2012 issue of Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara Carat magazine. Very sad indeed to see K-ON manga coming to a complete end. :-(

Yeah, you know what's more bad news? I saw something that a Lexus IS F and the Lexus IS250C modified by Fox Marketing for the SEMA Show got crushed.

(awwww)

Yep. Both SEMA Show Lexus cars got crushed. Too bad. And we have some footage here, let's see...

I wouldn't realize that both of these Lexus IS models got crushed even those that are modified for display at the SEMA Show. Aw...Off to the junkyard in the sky...Anyway, Aston Martin, they displayed a concept car that it turned out to be the replacement to the DBS at the Lake Como Concorso d'Eleganza.

Aston Martin AM310 concept

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/aston-martin-previews-new-dbs-with.html

Wait a minute. This looks like the Aston Martin Virage but what's it called?

It's a concept car called the AM310. No further details for now but by the looks of it, I think it looks more of a potential thoroughbred. There's no denying that this future Aston is going to be....

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH....

(audience laughing)

What's bothering you?

I don't think I'm going to like this kind of Aston because...this is more of a Virage...S. Kind of...

(laughing)

Anyway, I have someone who has psoriasis, which is a skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation. Now, I picked up some science news that running reduces the risk of psoriasis.

(ooohhh)

Scoop: http://ph.she.yahoo.com/running-may-reduce-risks-psoriasis-162826424.html

Wait...Running reduces chances of psoriasis?!

Beats me, but that's science. That was a study biased by Brigham and Women's Hospital from the USA. Most women who love to do cardio workout reduces the risk of psoriasis.

Hmmm...That's good. I guess I should be running right now so I won't get psoriasis.

(laughing)

Now, anyway, Busou Shinki, Konami's popular customizable toy line, I heard that they will get their very own TV anime on Tokyo Broadcasting System.

(oooohh)

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-05-24/konami-busou-shinki-action-figures-get-tv-anime

Yep. You guessed it. Busou Shinki anime is coming and those behind it will be quite different from the Moon Angel web anime you saw a couple of months ago.

Busou Shinki....that popular Konami toy line....I heard that they did have two PSP games a couple of years ago you know.

Uh-huh, and they inspired three "CHARACTER SONG AND SPECIAL RADIO RONDO" CDs just so you know...Now anyway, the people will work for this upcoming Busou Shinki TBS anime are;

Director: Yasuhito Kikuchi (Infinite Stratos, Macross Frontier)

Series Script Editor: Masahiro Yokotani (Maria Holic; Steins;Gate, K-ON! scripts)

Character Design: Takahiro Kishida (Madoka Magica, Cheburashka Arere?)

Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Ryouma Ebata (Blue Exorcist; Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW's animation director's assistant)

Animation Production: 8-Bit (Infinite Stratos, Aquarion Evol)

Whoa there! The Busou Shinki anime will have staff from Infinite Stratos? Blimey...

Despite that, this is just another Konami product get an anime. Back in 2010, a Konami PSP game, Okami Kakushi, spawned an anime series. I never saw it but it's terrifying. That's it. Very terrifying.

(laughing)

You'd never forget that there was another Konami-related stuff spawned into anime. It was SENGOKU COLLECTION.

Check out the official site: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/sencolle/

You know, just by looking at some Konami-related stuff turned into a TV anime, it's got some commanding presence. The presence of a SOLID SNAKE...

(laughing)

Yeah yeah...Blah blah blah blah....

And that's the news. Now, Honda Fit...it's now on its 2013 Model Year and this time, it has additional models for the Honda Fit...

2013 Honda Fit lineup

The Fit Hybrid variant now gets the RS variant. Yep, that's right. HONDA FIT HYBRID RS. The sportiest evil twin of the Honda Fit Hybrid. It has the 1.5L VTEC engine with IMA and it's available with either a CVT or the hairy-chested 6MT. This HONDA FIT HYBRID RS has a feature too similar from the Honda CR-Z. Switch it to ECON mode and the ring goes green. Switch it to normal and the ring goes blue. Put it in SPORT and the ring goes RED!!! I like it. It's another hybrid Honda mated with a 6-speed manual transmission.

For the ladies, there's a Fit that is suitable for the typical Japanese woman. It's called the She's variant, available in 1.3L and 1.3L Hybrid models. What you expect on the Honda Fit She's are everything too girly. From its pinkish color, pink car key, pink stitching, and everything too feminine. Something only a 20-year-old Japanese girl with a driver's license would want.

2013 Honda Fit Hybrid RS

2013 Honda Fit She's

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1070900/

URL: http://www.honda.co.jp/Fit/

And attention those who played THE IDOLM@STER 2 on the Playstation3. Coming this June 1, IM@S2 PS3 DLC Catalog 08...the one with...oh dear. This is exclusive to the PS3 version. It's the one with...ドレッシーアリス (costs 1500 Yen), レイニースズラン (costs 750 Yen), ランダムカラービューティ (costs 750 Yen), and デジタルスペースクラフト (costs 750 Yen). It seems new. A new song titled オーバーマスター will cost you 1800 Yen. It takes a flappy-paddle head to spend those. What are those? This looks new.

URL: http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/ps3/dlc/catalog8.php

Guys, meet the Lotus Cortina...

Now when I wasn't born yet and my mommy is still a kid, there was a kind of car that was made in the 1960's and it was proven to be a performance car icon. This classic you can find on Forza Motorsport 4's Top Gear Car Pack is known to be the DADDY OF SUPER SALOONS.

The Good Old Days...

This is the Ford Lotus Cortina. First produced in 1963 and it's only available in White with Sherwood Green stripe. It started out in life as a Mk1 Ford Cortina but Lotus performed some modifications on it, which includes the steering, suspension, 1500cc twin-cam engine, and a speedo that reads up to 140mph. This Lotus-tuned 1500cc engine produces 105HP, which is twice the power of the normal Ford Cortina. 0-60mph time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 108mph, meaning that the needle won't reach up to the limit. Despite that, this Lotus engine that give life to the modified Ford Cortina still harbors a spirit that best kept for Lotus.Cars. Not only power enhancements are involved but weight loss is also a part of the Lotus Cortina courtesy of aluminum doors and aluminum hood, 20kg less than the normal Ford Cortina but remember, this is much lighter than its rivals. Think about it, if you put it with a drag race against the Austin Healey 3000 Mk III, sorry to say that the Cortina will kick the Healey because it's lighter than the Austin Healey.

Scenic Route with the Cortina. How lovely...

Most car magazines praised the Lotus Cortina due to its striking performance and with the gearbox derived from the Lotus Elan, rumor has it that it can hit nearly 50mph in first gear and 70 in 2nd gear. Those Forza faithfuls who tried the Cortina really liked its gearbox because of its accuracy and the handling that is somewhat not so bad. It's not so skittish, it's not so unstable, it's as delicate as a piano concerto. In the race between power and size, this Lotus Cortina is not to shabby on that situation.

An icon steps in the Top Gear Track

For some delicious tidbits, the Cortina was heavily involved in motorsports. It was homologated to 1000 units and its race debut was in the Oulton Park Gold Cuo where it finished 3rd and 4th. In 1964, the Lotus Cortina led Jim Clark won the British Saloon Car Championship. That's not all, racers Jackie Stewart and Mike Beckwith became victors of the Marlboro 12-hour race. A 1-2 victory by Alan Mann Racing at the Motor 6 hour International Touring Car Race at Brands Hatch is just another example of Lotus Cortina-related wins.

There are so many stories involved about the Lotus Cortina taking part in motorsports, even rallying, but with this, this has the best racing pedigree than you can possibly imagine. A Ford Cortina retooled by Lotus, this is just something we admire and we love to call it a legend.

ITC280 Update 8

What I learned at week 8:


1) Here is an example of a loaded query string
formhandler.php?id=5

2) Here is a loaded query string as viewed in the source of a list page:
<a href="view.php?id=5">My PHP Book</a>


3) Here is what the above would look like in our actual code of a list page:
print '<a href="view.php?id=' . row['BookID'] . '">' . row['BookTitle'] . '</a>';


Score:

Test # 6: 61/100 (61%)

NOTES:

As of now, I should be doing that Assignment about List/View Pages. Since because I don't have classes tomorrow due to the Memorial Day holiday, I have plenty of time to finish it but there is a bit of a problem. I haven't started my project yet. I can't decide what will my project will be but I suspect, my head is all about cars.

That's it! Maybe instead of the kittens or muffins, because Mr. Bill Newman had it with those, I decided to use those as that List/View assignment. There are some requirements on my assignment due this Wednesday..


1. A list/view application featuring the look and feel of your website (theme), that correctly displays at least 20 records from a database table of your creation.  Each view page must have it's own image.
2. A link to your List page (with an appropriate name) in your application's navigation
3. A link to the SQL file you used to create the table and insert the data (on your construction page

I should be doing it now....

That is all

Mon Tulfo guested on Gandang Gabi Vice?!

On the May 27, 2012 episode of Gandang Gabi Vice, Mon Tulfo guested! In the midst of the Santiago-Tulfo fight that has been in the news for so long, it seems that Mon Tulfo really did guested on Gandang Gabi Vice but really? What's Mon Tulfo doing here? Maybe he's just trying to cool him down with a little chat with Vice Ganda.

Oh well. It's good to see him guested on Gandang Gabi Vice!

Bulilit Brownouts

Oh, if our former Bulilit Ella saw this, that's getting interesting because on that May 28, 2012 episode of Goin Bulilit, they spoofed the fantasy teen drama, Aryana, as a drama that is "pang-lupa na, pang-dagat pa" AROWANA. Get it? Arowana! Speaking of which, some brownout gags occurred. During brownouts, the Santiago vs. Tulfo issue gets a Goin Bulilit treatment as Raybart Santiago beaten up some cameraman while the Tolfu brothers warn Raybart and Baretta to watch out. Meanwhile, Goin Bulilit does a music video of Taylor Swift's TODAY WAS A FAIRYTALE. Then, what if there is such thing as BOTTOMLESS SOPAS? Yum! Sopas that never ran out even in the rain!

With sopas gone bottomless, our "makata" bulilits talk about what's TRENDING TOPIC that we LIKE, SHARE, AND POKE. It all ends with a READY GET SET GOIN game of LET'S CROSS THE BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE!

When in Monaco...

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber wins the Formula One Monaco GP race. This turning into a random selection because the past six races involves six winners. Welcome to the winner's circle, Mark Webber! I wonder who's next on June 24's Europe GP at Valencia?

Race - Webber makes it six winners from six races 27 May 2012

       

Red Bull’s Mark Webber held his nerve throughout a nail-biting denouement to the Monaco Grand Prix, forging another little bit of motor racing history as for the first time ever a sixth different driver won the sixth race of the season.

But Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel were all nose to tail in his wheeltracks, covered by a 1.3s blanket after a desperate chase in which none of them could ever relax.

Webber took the lead at the start and held it from Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, but the McLaren driver lost third to Alonso during their sole pit stops. Vettel, meanwhile, had started on soft tyres in contrast to the super-softs on which the rest of the top 10 were obliged to start, since he hadn’t set a time in Q3. Thus he ran a much longer first stint and was able to take the lead as Webber, Rosberg, Alonso and Hamilton made their stops.

The race then became a fight of Red Bull team mate against team mate as Vettel and Webber traded lap times. Vettel held on until the 46th lap, hoping that the forecast for heavy rain would come true so that he would then have been in the pound seats as he nursed a lead of around 17s.

But the rain held off and eventually Vettel had to come in for his set of super-softs. The stop dropped him to fourth, but crucially he got out fractions ahead of Hamilton, who had Ferrari’s Felipe Massa on his case throughout the race. At times in the closing stages the top six were within 3.1s of one another, but in the final couple of laps Hamilton and Massa faded.

It was tense stuff as the gaps opened and closed like a concertina around the tight little track, and very light rain for a short while at Mirabeau added to the challenge. It was driving of the highest calibre as none of them made any mistakes, and in the end Webber held on to win by 0.6s with Rosberg another 0.3s ahead of Alonso, who was another 0.6s back. It was fabulous stuff.

And it didn’t end there as the nature of the track boxed people in and prevented much overtaking, as a beautifully-judged drive by Paul di Resta kept him ahead of Force India team mate Nico Hulkenberg by just a second, with Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen only 1.4s further back. The Finn had a disappointing race for Lotus, and was hounded throughout by Bruno Senna who finished only 0.4s adrift to take the final point for Williams.

In the end, after a dramatic race of his own from the back of the grid, Sauber’s Sergio Perez grabbed 11th after Jean-Eric Vergne, an early pit stopper, was obliged to come in late for fresh rubber and thus lost the seventh he had earlier stolen from a struggling Michael Schumacher. Toro Rosso put their man on intermediate tyres just in case the rain came, but the gamble failed. It arrived 10 minutes after the chequered flag had fallen.

The Frenchman thus finished 12th, while Heikki Kovalainen gave Caterham a major boost with 13th place. The Finn had been in tough form all afternoon, holding off an off-form Jenson Button until the Briton spun his McLaren late in the race exiting the Swimming Pool and then soon retired. Kovalainen and Perez are under investigation for an incident in which the Finn kept the Mexican out wide in Ste Devote, obliging him to go into the escape road, but later Perez overtook him by cutting the chicane in a tit-for-tat move.

Behind them, Timo Glock was Marussia’s sole finisher in a race of high attrition, ahead of HRT’s Narain Karthikeyan.

Schumacher had a brush with Romain Grosjean at the start which spun the fancied Frenchman’s Lotus into immediate retirement, while further back Pastor Maldonado went from hero to zero by damaging his Williams’ front wing in the traffic and also quitting. Schumacher and Grosjean are under investigation for their incident. 

Pedro de la Rosa’s HRT stopped, as did Kamui Kobayashi’s Sauber, then Caterham’s Vitaly Petrov, who set a brief fastest lap after an early tyre stop, ended his day in the pits with electrical trouble. Schumacher lost seventh to Vergne late in the race, then stopped with tyre problems. Charles Pic’s Marussia failed him, and Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo also failed to go the distance.

A hugely exciting race leaves Alonso at the head of the world championship chase with 76 points, ahead of the Red Bull drivers on 73 apiece, Hamilton hangs on in fourth with 63, Rosberg comes up to fifth with 59, then Raikkonen is sixth on 51 and an unhappy Button drops to seventh on 45.

In the constructors’ stakes, Red Bull lead with 146 to McLaren’s 108, but Ferrari draw level with Lotus on 86 apiece, from Mercedes on 61 ahead of Williams on 44 and Sauber on 41.

Scoop: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/5/13399.html

Mitsuoka K13 Viewt

For almost two decades, the Mitsuoka Viewt (光岡 ビュート) is much more of a Nissan March in Jaguar Mark 2's clothing. This time, the new Mitsuoka Viewt still has the same Jaguar Mark 2 clothing while using the Nissan March K13 as its basis. If you think that this K13 Viewt may just be an alternative to the Autech March K13 Bolero, well sorry to disappoint.

2013 Mitsuoka Viewt

Like the previous model, the K13 Viewt still...um...pretty much the same. Is it all new or just a...you know, a nip tuck? To differentiate it, you should look to the side view that is broadly similar to the Nissan March K13 and the new back as well. If the outside view wasn't too good enough to solve, how about getting to know the K13 Viewt's interior?

2013 Mitsuoka Viewt interior

Okay, the K13 Viewt's interior is pretty much more of a coach-built version of the interior you may find on the Nissan March K13. In some models, you do get a clock but you don't if you're opted for the sat-nav option. What's more, the leather around the Viewt's interior are everywhere, providing more luxury for the passengers despite the compact sizing and this could be more of a big shot if you're driving through at some prestigious academy in Japan. Those classy high school students would think to you that you're riding a vintage car and that's sosy. What a sosy car, you'll look. And that's too sosy if you're some blonde Japanese teenage girl.

Under the bonnet, it still has the HR12DE engine mated with the XTRONIC CVT transmission. This engine churns out 79PS of power, 106Nm of torque, and that's about it.

Available colors are Wine Red Metallic, British Green, White, and Black Metallic

My comment:

Even it still has the same Jaguar Mark 2 design, this K13 Viewt is much more of a sosy version of the Nissan March K13. This is much more like a high school girl in a wealthy socialite's body giggling about her first kiss while she was in 5th grade. You wouldn't blame to see this one approaching in the streets of Tokyo and everyone would be completely fooled that you're in to that car that is more retro futuristic. Seriously? Yes my fair lady. This is how your ojousama do all the time while she's at school. Now you know.

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor

Let's Do The News! (May 27, 2012)

All righty then! Let's do the news! Before that, can we just say congratulations to Jessica Sanchez. Surely, she is 2nd place while some guy named Philip Philips became this season's American Idol winner. Others find it very dull but whatever. Still, Jessica Sanchez being 2nd place is the best she can do but I'm very glad that this Filipina-Mexicana really made it to the top. She gave it all she had but couldn't beat Philip Philips. Still, excellent work, Jessica Sanchez. You made us proud.

(applause)

Speaking of which, does anyone payed 13.99 British Pounds Sterling to download a new PS3 game straight from the Playstation Network?

What is it? Something?

It's DOCTOR WHO: THE ETERNITY CLOCK!

Whoa! This is the first time I'd expected a Doctor Who video game coming.

Yep, the very first Doctor Who video game available for download at the Playstation Network on Playstation3 worldwide. On this game, you can be either The Doctor (played by Matt Smith) or River Song (played by Alex Kingston) as they travel different time periods of London to discover the mystery of the Eternity Clock. I know, I tried that game before but as it gets progressive, it gets difficult. Oh, and you do wanna watch out against the most memorable Doctor Who enemies from the TV series, including the Cybermen, Silurians, Silents, and of course (our favorite baddies), Daleks.

Scoop: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/230512dwtec.html

That Eternity Clock game, this is the first time we'd expected a dream come true for Doctor Who fans worldwide. I think it's cool if you're a nerd. But never mind, moving on...

Right. I heard that everyone's favorite BMW, the flagship 7-Series F01, gets a minor change for the 2013 Model Year. Take a look at this 2013 BMW 7-Series facelift.

2013 BMW 7-Series

As explained by others, the 2013 BMW 7-Series has new LED headlamps with corona rings, revised kidney grille, revamped front bumper, new interior, 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System and an optional Rear Seat Entertainment package with a new 9.2-inch monitor. Reports said that there's a new variant of the 2013 BMW 7-Series F01 which comes with the new 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged inline-six diesel, first seen in the M550d xDrive.

(oooh)

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/bmw-introduces-2013-7-series-facelift.html

So, the 2013 7-Series now comes with a variant that has a tri-turbo diesel engine? Wowies. I'm glad to heard that.

Yeah, right. Those refinements will keep them fresh ever since the F01 came out in 2008. Not sure why the heck there are some idiots around here love the BMW 7-Series so much. One of their favorites was the 760Li thanks to is V12 twin turbo engine.

Ugh....

Mazda Roadster

Alfa Romeo Spider

Hey! I got some news!

What?

What?

I just heard that Mazda and Alfa Romeo team up to create a new Spider based on the next generation Mazda Roadster.

Really?

Says here:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/official-alfa-romeo-spider-to-be-based.html

Yep. There's no denying that this is the first time the Italians team up with the Japanese. It's like...Axis Powers working together as a team.

(ooohhh)

I just don't get it...

(laughing)

Why?

Those Euro-Nippon collaboration. Sometimes it didn't work it out...

But some are still in the process...

Yeah, whatever. There are some similar cases which include that a new Toyota compact will have a BMW engine, next Nissan Skyline will have a Mercedes-Benz engine, something, something....

There was Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Instances like the Outlander, RVR, and i MiEV spawned French cousins include the 4007, C-Crosser, C-Zero, iOn, even the recently launched 4008 and the C4 Aircross.

Oh really? In the past, there was a partnership between Suzuki and Volkswagen but it didn't work out and the partnership has ceased.

(yawn)

(laughing)

I just don't get it about those collaboration between European and Japanese car makers. It all seems weird. It's like making sushi made out of...well...um...something European. It's like a Frenchman speaking Japanese. You know what I mean?

(laughing)

Anyway, moving out. I heard that with a show joining the ranks with Top Gear USA, the BBC America show titled Richard Hammond's Crash Course will be aired globally on BBC Knowledge, BBC Entertainment or BBC HD this August.

Scoop: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/220512channels.html

(ooohh)

No wonder Richard Hammond's show about him in the USA driving the toughest machines is going to be aired worldwide. Heh, most of our pals from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, and Hong Kong will be pleased to see Hammo's show. But that made me sad.

Why?

In the Philippines, we only have BBC World News and CBeebies. We have no such channels that aired our favorites such as Top Gear and Doctor Who. Wake up, SKYCABLE! We want those channels!!!

Whoa there! Better slow down or you're slipping it up. Anyway, back for some Doctor Who-related stuff...

Yes, indeed. If you want to see the big Doctor Who experience in Cardiff, well worry no more because BBC announced that the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will start at July 20, 2012, making it a perfect summer activity for those who loved Doctor Who's adventures.

Scoop: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/worldwide/140512drwho.html

Wow! That was amazing! The whole family living in Cardiff will be happy to visit that and enjoy the best Doctor Who experience. So cool, they will have to put it on their "How I spent my summer vacation" paper!

Wait, what? What do you mean "How I spent my summer vacation" paper?

(laughing)

It's what the little kids do when school starts.

Oh, okay.

Anyway, I got news that...THE RENAULT ALPINE IS BACK!

(applause)

Take a look at this Alpine of the 21st century...

Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept

Oh, that's the car that celebrates the 50th birthday of the Alpine A110.

I think this is somewhat a DeZir concept but a little bit too messy.

This is the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept. This is a tribute to the Alpine A110's 50th birthday and it comes with a engine derived from a Megane Trophy race car. It churns out 400hp at 7,200 rpm and 422Nm (311 lb-ft) at 6,200 rpm. A semi-automatic six-speed sequential gearbox drives the rear wheels through a limited slip differential.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/renault-alpine-a110-50-concept-revealed.html

Cool, but it's a bit too mental. It's like some crazy man escaped from the mental hospital in Mandaluyong.

(laughing)

Okay...okay...this whole Alpine tribute concept car is a bit too mental hospital-ish... If you don't wan't it. What can you say about this?

Ferrari SP12 EC

At first glance this is somewhat a Ferrari 458 Italia with some hint of design that harked back to the Ferrari 512BB. This is a one-off Ferrari made for the singer named Eric Clapton

(oooh)

Wait, Eric Clapton likes Ferrari?

Well frankly yes. He's a Ferrari aficionado and his special Ferrari 458 was one of the Ferrari Special Projects since the SP1, the Superfast Aperta, and the Superamerica. This is the Ferrari SP12 EC, a Ferrari 458 Italia made for Eric Clapton.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/ferrari-officially-reveals-eric-clapton.html

A Ferrari 458 made for Eric Clapton with a hint of design based on the Berlinetta Boxer is just somewhat a very unique Ferrari made with a signature of Eric Clapton himself. Quite a catch here...

I like it. Sadly, we can't have his Ferrari.

(awww)

Anyway, BMW Z4 by the way, it seems that this roadster got its Zagato makeover, resulting to a BMW Z4 Zagato concept.

BMW Z4 Zagato Concept

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/bmw-z4-zagato-coupe-unveiled-ahead-of.html

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Another Zagato masterpiece? Last year, we saw the V12 Vantage-based Aston Martin V12 Zagato (we tried that on FM4 since March) and we'd expected a limited road-legal version this year. So, there is another car designed at the hands of Zagato and this time, it's a BMW Z4 E89?

Those guys from Zagato really are slick right now.

You say that. Heh....

Peugeot 301

Ooh? What's this?

I don't know. This is a Peugeot 301, a low-cost sedan made for emerging markets.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/peugeot-new-301-budget-compact-saloon.html

Wait...301? I heard news that the...you know. 308! Some reports saying that the 308 will be replaced by the 301...

That's just wordiness. I heard that starting with the 301, the Peugeot naming structure will be revised and all Peugeot cars will have end numbers 1 and 8. That's it.

So you're saying that for example, if the 308 gets a replacement, it won't be called a 309, right?

Yeah, they'll just stick to the 308 naming.

I wonder what happened to namings of other Peugeot cars such as the RCZ and Bipper Tepee?

Not sure, but let's wait for the verdict.

Okay...

Anyway, a few days ago, I finally got my hands on the Top Secret 0-300 Supra. A unicorn car rewarded for those who participated last month's Forza 4 VIP Rivals Event. I was going to give it to Stig to test drive it but sadly, we kinda forgot about my Mugen Civic Type R EP3. I decided to do double shifts on this day and therefore, the Stig drove two of these prized possessions. 

Unicorns..

Unicorns that is...

I have the results. Mugen EP3 did it in 1:32.911 while Top Secret Supra did it in 1:24.116. That's it for now, I think...

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz USA noticed my Forza 4 video of a E63 AMG at the Top Gear Test Track and they said that I was impressed about showcasing it.

Really?

They said they would like to offer me a gift from Mercedes Shop and I accepted the offer.

What was that gift?

It was a 1:18 scale diecast of the Mercedes AMG SLS.

(oohhh)

Not joking. It's true. The folks from Mercedes-Benz USA sent me a gift as a token of appreciation. That diecast I got there is a bridge between me and the brand. I surely promise I won't break it apart just like what I did on the Ferrari F50 when I was a boy.

Sure?

I have my promise...

Yeah but you said you don't like diecast model cars?

I'm a changed man now. I am now accepting those because sometimes computer games aren't as better than old-fashioned toys. I agree to that now.

Oh....

Anyway, bad news. You may remember that General Motors are always a big player for NFL Super Bowl. However, thanks for ditching Facebook ads, General Motors decided to pull out from the 2013 Super Bowl.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05/after-ditching-facebook-ads-gm-drops.html

Whoa! Hang on! Hang on! What? General Motors are withdrawing from advertising for next year's Super Bowl?

It's a shame. It costs over three million dollars to make a 30-second Super Bowl ad earlier. Next year, it will be 4 million. Some say...

General Motors never knew that will happened...

No way...

(awwww)

Anyway, that's the news and we'll leave you with a song you're familiar with...LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT...

(laughing)

Welcome Back: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo S

This gran tourer is every hairy-chested men's dream car

You see this is one of Dingdong Dantes' personal car. The car that he used while going for a shooting of My Beloved or Dance of the Steel Bars. What? Never heard of it? Perhaps maybe you never saw him and that car on one episode of GMA News TV's Turbo Zone.

He said that in earlier times, he often plays toy cars, G.I. Joe figures, and something else. He also told us that he often drives that kind of car for his everyday life. What was Dingdong's dream car? It varies from time to time but for now, Dingdong Dantes sticks with this, the Maserati GranTurismo S. Don't tell us where did Dingdong Dantes bought this GranTurismo car and let's be honest that the Maserati hasn't been on the Philippines yet until the official Ferrari and Maserati distributor, Autostrada Motore Inc, burst in the scene. The MC Stradale was the only GranTurismo variant sold in the Philippines but seriously, where did Dingdong bought the GranTurismo S for his personal use? Auto Trend?

Never mind but anyway, the GranTurismo S is a perfect mix of luxury and sportiness and its V8 engine churns out 440HP and 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds. You might think that the GranTurismo has two seats like most sports car do but here, it's a 2+2 seater gran tourer because it has two at the back...which you can't fit yourself in.

It's a perfect everyday car because it has a brilliance of the sports car, the handling, and everything. You can use it anytime, anywhere, even if you're on Barong or on shorts, but no trunks because we don't see drivers going out in their trunks.

Like Dingdong Dantes, it's good to have something you're dreaming on and you can also be inspired because if you work hard, your experience will become more rewarding. That is everything. That is how you say "Hello, Sexy!"