Monday, November 28, 2011

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.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Report: Mazda to stop producing CX-7

2010 Mazda CX-7


Some reports say that Mazda will stop producing the Mazda CX-7 crossover because of its poor sales and the upcoming Mazda CX-5 crossover with SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY will replace the poorly recognized CX-7 soon. When the Mazda CX-7 released in Japan since December 2006, it ushered in to a new age of Mazda crossovers and by 2007, it sold over 5,000 units in Japan. However, as of this year, it sold over 400 units, which is bad because of the March 11 disaster and the strong Yen.

So, I guess this poorly recognized Mazda CX-7 is about to get axed...


マツダが近く、スポーツタイプ多目的車(SUV)「CX―7」の国内向け生産を中止することが24日、分かった。SUVは、小型で低燃費のタイプを求める人が増えており、来年発売する一回り小さな新型SUV「CX―5」に実質的に引き継がれる。販売は在庫がなくなるまで続ける。

 CX―7はSUV人気の高い北米専用車として2006年5月に米国、カナダで発売。国内では同年12月に販売を始めた。07年には国内で年5千台強を販売。しかし翌08年以降は、当初の月販目標である380台を下回っていた。

 CX―7はマツダの国内唯一のSUVで、高出力の2300ccターボエンジンや、全幅1・87メートルと比較的大きな車体が特徴。価格は295万円からで国内のマツダ車では最も高く、ガソリン1リットル当たりの走行距離は10キロに満たなかった。

 CX―7は本社宇品工場(広島市南区)で生産。10年は過去最高の約9万台を生産した。北米では人気を維持しており、海外向けは生産を続ける。

Citroen DS5

2012 Citroen DS5



2012 Citroen DS5 interior


This is what happens when this kind of Citroen was been beamed down from another world. Premiered at the Shanghai Auto Show in April and at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, this is positioned to be the flagship of the Citroen DS range. With the success of the three-door DS3 and the five-door DS4, the new Citroen DS5 is the flagship vehicle that will suit their everyday lifestyles.

When most people saw this on the news portion of Series 17 Episode 2 of BBC's Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson once said that the DS5 is a good-looking hatchback. It's true that the Citroen DS5's design flow is really captivating but it the top is somewhat resemble of a straw hat worn by most Chinese. Possibly though, the design is rather too Chinese rather than being a French luxury shooting break.

The Citroen DS5 offers a first-class interior that is well-trimmed, well-balanced, and touching to accommodate five passengers. This is an all-original interior made specifically for the executives who wanted to take some time off from work. However, it seems that there are so many buttons on the dashboard that some find it confusing, few find it very unique. This is like some kind of a concept car that Citroen created for everyday lifestyles. Like a well-tailored suit, the DS5's interior is accommodated to the owners' unique needs. For the best sound experience, Citroen teams up with Denon for their unique Hi-Fi system and 10 speakers to create realistic sound quality that is truly a work of art. This Denon Hi-Fi option is available at some DS5 variants.

The Citroen DS5 is not essentially based on the C5 because of the naming, it uses the platform lifted from the Peugeot 3008. Depending on three lines; Chic, So Chic, and Sport Chic, customers can choose either a 1.6L THP 200, 1.6L THP 155, 2.0L HDi 160, and the 2.0L e-HDi 110 engine with micro-hybrid technology lifted from the new Citroen C4. However, the crowning glory of the Citroen DS5 is the HYbrid4 technology, first applied on the 3008 HYbrid4. With the 2.0L HDi diesel engine and the electric motor combined, it produces 200PS of power, 450Nm of torque, 0-100kph in 8.6 seconds, 211kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 24.4km/L (4.1L/100km). It is mated with a six-speed paddle shift transmission. The DS5's HYbrid4 has four modes to choose from at the twist of the knob. First is the Auto mode that makes the whole system automatically controlled for balance. Second is the ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode that allows the DS5 to run only in Ni-MH battery, providing a cleaner driving on the road. Third is the 4WD mode that makes the DS5 go anywhere from tarmac, gravel, and snow. Lastly is the Sport Mode that provides maximum engine response, making it more fun to drive than conventional hybrids.

Available in eight colors: Gris Hurricane, Noir Perla Nera, Gris Galena, Hickory, Gris Aluminum, Bleu Philae, Vapor Grey, and Blanc.

My comment:
This is the second diesel-hybrid vehicle PSA Peugeot-Citroen has ever made since the 3008 HYbrid4! Looks like this flagship model has high potential to challenge against the conventions of hybrid vehicles and this DS5's shaping up to deliver first-class comfort, first-class performance, and all-round economy that you would trust it. It's cool if you bring the DS5 on a midnight trip on the roads of Shanghai, China...



Photo: PSA Peugeot-Citroen

Mercedes-Benz kisses Maybach goodbye in 2013.

Maybach


In the year 2002, Mercedes-Benz resurrected the Maybach brand to compete against elite luxury brands like Bentley and Rolls-Royce but sales are not like what it seems. As the brand's fate is gone on the downfall and even the sale to Aston Martin ended in a failure, a report from AutoWeek said that Benz will going to kill the Maybach brand at the end of 2013, moments after the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class come out in the open.

Der Neu BMW 1er

2012 BMW 1-Series


This is "ONE WAY TO JOY"

Asian Carmakers, official BMW distributor in the Philippines, launched the all new BMW 1-Series F20 and for the first time, this new model is available in two different lines that suit your personalities: The Urban Line and the Sport Line.

Either way, they're equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 143hp of power, 320Nm of torque, and 0-100kph in 8.9 seconds. Prices start at 2,290,000 Philippine Pesos.

My verdict:
Things I like about the new 1 Series F20 is its new interior, diesel engine, and a perfect hatchback suited for everyday lifestyle. This is the last rear wheel drive hatchback they'll ever build. Things I don't like is the exterior design, which looks psychotic.

Are you the one?