Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (URJ202W) Facelift

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

2013 Toyota Land Cruiser interior

The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (URJ202W) is the only V8-powered full-size SUV made in Japan. It was having a good time pummeling against rivals such as Mitsubishi Pajero and the Range Rover. You can see them commonly in the Middle East but it is rarely seen in the streets of Los Angeles, Manila, or even Tokyo. Sadly though it's not available in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia because of the ASEAN-built Fortuner takes place.

This generation was been there for four years since its debut in late 2007 but for the 2013 model year, the Toyota LC200 deserved its mid-life facelift to keep it fresh for the only V8-powered SUV made in Japan. So for the exterior details, you should expect a new headlamp design, a new front bumper, new rims, and a new rear design. That should make it perfect to keep it more muscular for this flagship model.

Once again, the interior design looks the same as the previous model. It still features a choice of 5-seater and 7-seater, climate control, heated seats, available G-BOOK mX Pro HDD Navigation System, Toyota Premium Sound System with 18-speakers, rear-seat entertainment system, USB Connectivity, and a new "Shell" interior color. Guess that they've been running out of ideas but this interior is all about "Business Class" comfort. So, it was like you're on a business trip to the Middle East and going around for some Arab money. Well, knock yourself out...

The Toyota Land Cruiser 200 is powered by the 1UR-FE (4.6L V8) engine that produces 318PS of power and 460Nm of torque. With its Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) and 6-speed Super ECT, it is capable of achieving a fuel economy of 6.9km/L based on Japan's JC08 Test Cycle. The Multi-Terrain Select allows the user to take advantage of five different modes based on terrain responses such as ROCK, ROCK & DIRT, MOGUL, LOOSE ROCK, and MUD & SAND. It even features Crawl Control, Variable Gear Ratio Steering, Active Height Control Suspension with Adaptive Variable Suspension System, and the most basic feature of them all is KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).

Available colors are White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Black, Attitude Black Mica, Dark Red Mica Metallic, and Beige Mica Metallic.

My comment:
Keeping the LC200 updated is just one of the reasons why they want to keep the legendary Land Cruiser despite the tough times caused by the March 11 disaster, the European Debt Crisis, and the Thai Floods. Now if we could only hope for is sit down and wait for it to decide its fate.

Sales for this facelifted model start this January 6, 2012, and it will come soon in the Middle East and in the USA. Now, if we could hope is to wait for Toyota Motor Philippines to bring the facelifted LC200 soon or wait for some sneaky gray market importers, especially Auto Trend, to have one, especially if this one's a Dubai Version...

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation.

Kim Jong-Il's Death

Kim Jong-Il

The death of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, really sparked worldwide attention that a country like North Korea had lost the most powerful leader, a man who ruled with an iron fist and influenced the country's military power. As of that, we felt silent about the death of Kim Jong-Il,

Scoop: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111219_23.html

Because Kim Jong-Il ruled North Korea upon his father's death in 1994, there is a tendency that Kim Jong-Il's third son, Kim Jong Un will succeed but Kim Jong Un was just in his 20's and we believed that he's too young to continue his father's duties...

Scoop: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111219_21.html

Verdict: So what will North Korea do with the death of its leader? We never know...

The Run of Boss 302 Mustang 2012

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Name: Ford Mustang Boss 302

Nationality: American

Top Speed: 155 MPH

0 to 60 Time: 5.1 seconds

BHP: 444 @ 7,400RPM

Performance: Tier 2

Handling: Very Difficult

Class: Muscle

Drivetrain: RWD

Manufacture Year: 2012

Description:

For the Ford Mustang's 2012 Model Year, the Boss 302 nameplate has been reborn and it uses the Ford Mustang GT V8 variant as its foundation. Although I do think that the Boss 302 Mustang is a sort of "in-the-middle" version of the legendary Mustang name. Why? Because it's sharper and faster than the regular Mustang but not as aggressive as the Shelby GT500. Anyway, this model uses the Mustang's V8 engine and it was tuned to have 444BHP of power. Best of all, it comes with Brembo front calipers and rotors, 3.73:1 limited slip differential, and an adjustable suspension that allows owners to switch through different modes for that "One Track Mind".

In The Run, it served as Eddie Cooke's main car, which is a boss at the start of Stage 10 (East Coast). Watch out because while you're facing against him at Tumbling Run, PA, his Boss 302 is one heck of a cornering maniac! Strategy is important!

Eddie Cooke's Ford Mustang Boss 302

New Bentley Continental GTC

2012 Bentley Continental GTC

Even when the company dubbed this the "second-generation" Bentley Continental GTC, it's still looked more like a minor change to the previous model, but still Bentley considers this a full model change, and the new Bentley Continental GTC, a convertible version of the Continental GT, is now all grown up as expected.

The new GTC is powered with the brute 6.0-litre W12 Twin Turbo engine, which has a maximum power output of 575PS/6000rpm and the torque output of 700N-m/6000rpm. The standard transmission is a ZF 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Coming soon is the V8 engine that delivers an impressive fuel economy and lower emissions, suitable for the eco-conscious driver.

My Comment:
Once again, the open top version of the Continental GT, the Continental GTC, looks almost identical as the previous model, but the new V12 engine really sure knows how this British sports car behaves just like the Italians and the Germans. It could almost be a perfect ride to the finest gentlemen's club in London, Tokyo, Dubai, Barcelona, New York, Paris, or Seoul but it will soon reveal its true self, something that will shock the others.

If Bentley arrives in the Philippines soon, well this could be our bet...

Photo: Bentley Motors Limited

A Real Nightmare Before Christmas

Flood caused by Typhoon Sendong

A nightmare before Christmas happened somewhere at Visayas and Mindanao. That is the typhoon Sendong (International Name: Washi) had caused all of these nightmares last Weekend. So far, over 600 people were killed and over 800 people remained missing.

Scoop: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/19896/sendong-600-feared-dead-in-cagayan-de-oro-iligan-bukidnon-negros

This is proven to be a real nightmare before Christmas for those who are affected by typhoon Sendong. We are very sad to see hundreds of people died or missing.

In fact, the Philippine Red Cross is always open for those who are ready to donate for Typhoon Sendong victims. For donations, visit http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

Thank you and have a safe Christmas everybody!

Photo: Top Gear Philippines (Facebook)

Wow Mali pranks - December 18, 2011

As Christmas draws near, more pranks pulled by Joey De Leon, Doray Alaskadora, Enchong Go, and everyone at the December 18, 2011 episode of Wow Mali!

1) Nightmare Before Christmas - AFREAK! Creepy things happened when someone left alone! Especially when there were zombie carolers!

2) Gusto mo bang magkapera ngayong pasko? - Need cash for the holidays? Sorry but you have to be freaked out by them carolers!

3) Malamig ba ang pasko mo? - This girl asked "Is your Christmas cold?" Perhaps it's your skin that is not cold for the holidays?!

4) 8 Feet Christmas Tree - An eight-feet Christmas tree? More like, 8-inch to us!

5) X-Mas Heart - 8 Feet Christmas Tree not enough? How about a X-Mas Heart? DISCLAIMER: Claim your gift this February 14! That's Valentine's Day to you, jerks!

6) Star Confusion - Celebs like Michael Flores and Tessie Prieto-Valdes got their butts kicked on another Star Confusion!

Michael Flores

Tessie Prieto-Valdes

7) Gift Wrap Machine - Is gift-wrapping by hand hard? Try our Gift Wrap Machine! Warning: Results Unsure

8) Gift Wrap Barubal - Gift Wrap Machine not your thing? How about lend it to someone who can gift wrap faster than what you think? Warning: Her gift wrapping style is rubbish...

Simbang Gabi with the Bulilits!

What just happened at the December 18, 2011 episode of Goin Bulilit?

- Goin Bulilit music video of Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino by Maria Aragon

- Simbang Gabi jokes

- Ligawan sa Hatinggabi

- Watch out gay boys! Here comes Manila Queenpin! The Acheng Salong-Gay Story... (Uh, is that the Manila Kingpin parody?!)

- Meet Robotic Santa, a robot version of Santa Claus that scares everybody!

- Segunda Manny, a Segunda Mano spoof...

- Ready Get Set Goin in Santa Clash!

English speaking involved on Lokomoko

What just happened at December 18, 2011 episode of Lokomoko?

- Christmas in the Snow gags. English Speaking involved.

- Another Lokomentado segment and this time the crew are commenting about Jenny Miller's answers.

- Another dramatic episode of Babuyan where Donya Martha demands an ultimatum to Pedring and the whole family to leave in order to save Pedring's piglet.

- Another Lokomentado segment where the gang asks about Rodjun Cruz's answers

- Whose Line is it Anyhow?!

1) Close naman tayo hindi ba? Natutulog nga ako kung saan ka natutulog. Kinakain ko ang kinakain mo. Kahit saan ka pumunta, nandoon din ako. Bakit gusto mo akong paalisin? - Bulate

2) Kaya kitang apak-apakan at sipa-sipain! - Paa

3) Ano ba?! Wag niyo akong hipun...Nakakahiya!!! - Makahiya

4) Type na type ko ang sulat mo! - Typewriter

5) Lagi na lang akong buy 1 take 1! - Medyas/Sapatos

6) Sabi nila may tililing ako - Bell

7) Ikaw ang bugaw ko! - Langaw

Promised to kick the RX-8's back and vomit the Brera's face

When the new Volkswagen Scirocco came here on FM3, we thought that this was our only chance to try out Volkswagen's explosive hot hatch because it was sold in most parts of the world but not in the USA and in the Philippines. Turns out some rejected ad made by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson and James May were right (reference to Season 13 Episode 7 of Top Gear). The Scirocco has its back kicked by the Mazda RX-8 and the face was vomited by the Alfa Romeo Brera.

Warming up this Scirocco R
for today's Hockenheimring match!

The regular Scirocco got sick of having its back side kicked by the Mazda RX-8 and its face vomited by the Alfa Romeo Brera so by solving this, the November Speed DLC Pack included the all new Volkswagen Scirocco R. This was meant to be promised to counter these attacks but is it worth a drool-worthy V-Dub? James May, better reject that jingle you made for the Scirocco and Jeremy Clarkson, prep up some explosives because this new Scirocco R is EXPLOSIVE!

The Scirocco R is STIG APPROVED!

The Scirocco R is heavily inspired from its experiences from the 24 Hours Nurburgring race. Thanks to its dual victory at the 24 Hours Nurburgring, this was the first of its kind on Volkswagen's new R lineup consisting of this and the Golf VI R. Speaking of which, you might think that the Scirocco R and the Golf R are like two sides of the same coin because it was powered by the EA113 (2.0L T-GDi) engine but no. While the Golf R produces 267 HP of power and 254lb-ft of torque, the Scirocco R produces 261 HP of power and 258lb-ft of torque. It is believed that the Golf R is better than the Scirocco R because it has more power and more importantly, it's All-Wheel Drive. However, despite the lag, the Scirocco R has more torque and lighter than the Golf R. Seems like these two are going to be somewhat "neck-and-neck" between those two.

You should know that this hatch
was developed for Nurburgring purposes!

The Scirocco R could be the most explosive Scirocco ever built but still a modified Mazda RX-8 will kick its back side and a modified Alfa Romeo Brera will vomit on its face. This car is all about "power with responsibility" not "Berlin to Warsaw in one full tank". Who knows, this might cause a Mass Exodus among V-Dub fans worldwide. Sorry VW but you'll gonna have to be better than that! The world God only knows that this one could be "STIG APPROVED" if I tried it on the Top Gear Test Track...

Those who're playing Forza 4 and downloaded the November Speed DLC Pack; Get Ahead. Get a new Scirocco R. For people who valued their arms...

Google Let It Snow Easter Egg

Let It Snow

As heard from most sources, when most people typed "Let It Snow" at Google, what they'll be experiencing that the Google page drops snow and then it got covered in snow until they clicked the "Deforst" button to remove the snow. No wonder there's another Google easter egg happened since the "Do A Barrel Roll" part.

Scoop: http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2133545/Let-It-Snow-Google-Easter-Egg-Blankets-Search-Results-in-Snow

BANANA SPLIT CLOWN IN A MILLION UPDATE 12/17/11

At the December 17, 2011 episode of Banana Split, the remaining four contestants are struggling to vie as the remaining three and for that challenge, they have to impersonate the most famous personalities. Karen Dematera impersonates as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while Super Tekla impersonates as Mommy Dionesia, then Onse impersonates as Annabelle Rama, and Mimi Aringo impersonates as Miriam Defensor-Santiago!

Talk about craziness, huh? But guess who got kicked out from the competition? Onse got eliminated!

A whole family of Stigs...

The Stig Family Sticker

This looks weird by Gearhead created some kind of "Stig Family Sticker" that costs $7. Like what it said, "Some Say He's A Family Man..." Guess this features, The Stig, Mrs. Stig, Stig kids, a "Baby Stig" (remember that from the Top Gear Christmas Special 2010?) two Stig dogs and two Stig cats.

This could be "Stig Approved" but rubbish...

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/17/stig-family-stickers-are-a-nifty-stocking-stuffer/