Lexus CT 200h (ZWA10)

Most adults think that hybrid cars are just a children's toys. If they come looking on the new Lexus hybrid hatchback, the CT 200h, this hybrid car is no child's toy. It is a hybrid hatchback nested with Shadow Magic.

2012 Lexus CT

The reason how this new hybrid hatchback is enveloped with Shadow Magic because the Lexus CT 200h is the darker side of green. It is a hybrid car that has the Dark Side within reach, and you may already remember it on the special "Dark Ride" interactive web movie earlier. Dark times need a dark hero and this Lexus CT 200h is truly the "Gabriel Belmont" of hybrids.

2012 Lexus CT interior

Questioning from Lexus' design philosophy of L-Finesse, the Lexus CT 200h has a sharp proposal to attract wealthy buyers with its innovative design flow and hospitable interior. The exterior design seems to be more European than being Japanese but this hybrid hatchback truly shows its evil side outside but the interior has a good side within its menacing face. The interior packs with innovative conveniences including the Lexus Remote Touch that allows the driver to choose a wide variety of options while on the road. With L-Finesse, this evil hybrid hatch truly witness Hell in a greener side of view, that is Green Hell perhaps.

2012 Lexus CT

The Lexus CT 200h is equipped with the 2ZR-FXE engine, a 1.8-litre gasoline engine equipped with the Toyota Hybrid System II found on the third-generation Toyota Prius, accumulating a power output of a frugal 99PS with the 82PS motor equipped. As a hybrid car, the Lexus CT 200h accumulates a fuel economy of 34.0km/L (base model) and this has enough fuel economy to bring the Honda CR-Z to the guillotine. Although I admit that the CT 200h's power output is somewhat disappointing, I still want to take the Honda CR-Z instead but if fuel economy is just one thing, the Lexus CT 200h is my best pick.

Just like the Honda CR-Z, the Lexus CT 200h has a wide variety of driving modes to choose from, courtesy of the new Drive Mode Select. The Normal/Eco/EV Drive Mode is made for city driving or something casual and the Sport Mode is made to push the CT 200h beyond the bounds. Think of the Normal/Eco/EV Drive Mode as the Light Magic and the Sport Mode as the Shadow Magic as these mode suggests that Normal Mode is made for fuel efficiency and the Sport Mode for power and agility.

Lucky for you that the Lexus CT 200h is equipped with Paddle Shifters that allows the owner to have a feel of a sports car while driving the hybrid car on the Shutokou or Touge. Please take note that the Harmonious Driving Navigator monitors the CT 200h's fuel efficiency and how fuel efficient affects the outcome between you and your dark ride.

CT 200h F-Sport

2012 Lexus CT F-Sport

To bring the Lexus Ct 200h on its full potential, an available F-Sport Package is available to bring out the taste of LFA at the city streets. The F-Sport comes with the aggressive grille, F-Sport Emblem, tuned suspension, 17-inch rims, aluminum sports pedal, and F-Sport Steering Wheel. The CT 200h F Sport is like a CT 200h wearing the God Mask in order to save the world from darkness.

My thoughts about the CT 200h:
Dark times need a dark hero, and this new hybrid hatchback from Lexus was the Dark Hero that can save the world from darkness. Combining the thrill of a sports car with the efficiency of the hybrid car is just one thing the CT 200h knows but only wealthy, green-living, executives are welcomed to be indulged with the Dark Ride. CT stands for Creative Touring and this Creative Touring of Lexus is ready to dance at the streets of Tokyo. Although it was intended for Europe sale, the Lexus CT 200h made it a worldwide basis and I hope Lexus Manila will join the Dark Side with the CT 200h soon. Go ahead, dance with the CT 200h if you are ready to bring this dark ride to a date with destiny 'till sunshine!

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Duel

For this episode on The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers from the January 12 episode of Banana Split, after Ted (Jason Francisco) kicked the butt out of the villain in black cloak, he challenges Pan De Coco Martin (Kuya Jobert) to a fistfight after Pan De Coco Martin spent seconds peeing on the wall. Meanwhile, while Noli (Jayson Gainza), Julius (Badji Mortiz), and Kuring (Nina Jose) healing themselves, they watch TV and they saw Ted fighting Pan De Coco Martin. Will they help Ted? Find out tomorrow!

John Prats, as Kuya Art, the Art Throb, is here again to make a gift to your parents with the use of paper and scissors.

While not being the menacing Pan De Coco Martin, Kuya Jobert helps a track-and-field athlete how to win a track-and-field effectively, well almost effectively.

After that, Jayson Gainza showcases three things made by idiots on "ANG O.A. MO!", such as that you don't like dirt but you're a beggar, convincing your boyfriend to marry but don't want to touch, and want to go home but you arrived at the office

One of the most expensive GT5 Premium cars, the Jaguar XJ13!

Jaguar XJ13 in Gion, Kyoto

A beautiful British classic race car
staying in Gion

Ah, lucky me. 1/11/11. January 11, 2011. The date when I first got my hands on this ultra-expensive Gran Turismo 5 Premium Tier car that is none other than the Jaguar XJ13. I won this car from the 200-lap challenge at the Indianapolis, in A-Spec.

Messing the XJ13 at the Top Gear
Test Track

You can't beat the classics!

It's pretty amusing that this car is mostly expensive and you need to win more races to buy some. Fortunately for the Jaguar XJ13, this one is a prize car from winning the A-Spec 200-lap Indianapolis race. I used the Formula Gran Turismo on that race and it took almost three hours to win!

Classic vs. Modern?

I guess some GT5 amateurs, pros, and experts got their hands on this ultra-expensive Jaguar XJ13 as a prize car, but what would they react when they show it on online battles? Guess I would keep this vintage Jaguar classic as a memorabilia of hardships and I'm just two A-Spec levels away from getting the X2010 S. Vettel car. In the meantime, what should I do with the Jaguar XJ13 on GT5? It's a mega expensive car won from an endurance match and what could possibly go wrong? 

So Far...

On the Banana Split mini-series, The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers, this January 11 episode,

As Pan De Coco Martin (Kuya Jhobert) wreaks havoc, Ted (Jason Francisco) wants to save his siblings but the villain in black cloak said no and he knows that these siblings betrayed Ted. Ted wants to save them but the bad guy electrified Ted. Ted splashed the super villain with water and turns out water was this villain in black cloak' weakness! The bad guy admitted that Ted's siblings didn't betray Ted, and turns out it was a set-up to separate them like The Beatles. Ted finally kicked the butt out of the Black Cloak! Will Ted reunite with the siblings and stop Pan De Coco Martin's monstrosity? Find out soon!

Later, John Prats, as Kuya Keem, explains more on magic and brings out Debra (RR Enriquez) for more. Abra Kadabra!

Two Americans share the same prize!

What did I know? Chevrolet's true eco-car, the Volt, and Ford's new Explorer won the 2011 North American Car (and Truck) of the Year at the 2011 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan!

Scoop:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/chevrolet-volt-ford-explorer-named-2011-north-american-car-and/

Congratulations to the both of them!

New foe unveiled on the 1-10-11 episode on Banana Split!?

Pan De Coco Martin...?

In Banana Split's The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers, the mysterious Pan de coco named Pan De Coco Martin unveiled its face (wait, that's Kuya Jobert!) and he attacked our heroes!

Ted (Jason Francisco), as Pandesal Ranger 2 with Liver Spread, tries to attack Pan De Coco Martin, but he's too strong! Pan De Coco Martin attacked Ted (Jayson Gainza), Julius (Badji Mortiz), and Kuring (Nina Jose), leaving the villain in black cloak and Ted retreated. The reporter showed up and interviewed both the now harmed Pandesal Rangers and the new villain named Pan De Coco Martin! Wait! The reporter said it all, this is the final week! Find out tomorrow 'till Friday if our heroes survived the final challenge! Aw great! The villain in black cloak and Pan De Coco Martin... now what will our Pandesal Rangers do in the final week of Banana Split's mini-series!

Before that, Banana Split spoofed TV Patrol as "ANG TV PATROL". That's ANG TV...PATROL. Get it? ANG TV... PATROL. ANG TV... PATROL. 

Killer Truck captured! (as seen on Banana Split's
Ang TV Patrol)

        

Magpakailanpaman

Appreciations of the couple between Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, and singer-comedian, Ogie Alcasid, are always welcomed with the debut of their latest album, Magpakailanpaman.

This CD comprises of 15 tracks sung by Ogie and Regine and these songs are always welcomed to your OPM listening senses that made them a sharing passion and the love between the two singers.

It's been great that Magpakailanpaman is a great album from the two great OPM singers sharing the love of each other and we are all appreciated from the songs. This album was distributed from VIVA Records and available at Odyssey, and other record bars from your favorite malls nationwide and whoever has one may share the love between Ogie And Regine at the comfort at their homes.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1) Magpakailanpaman (duet)
2) Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka
3) Ikaw Lamang (Ogie)
4) Ikaw (Regine)
5) Magmula Ngayon (Ogie)
6) Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin
7) Pangako Ko (Ogie)
8) Sa Piling Mo (duet)
9) Forevermore (Regine)
10) Mahal Kita (Ogie)
11) Pangako (Regine)
12) Minamahal Kita (Ogie)
13) Never Ever Say Goodbye(Regine)
14) Ikaw Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
15) Hanggang Ngayon (duet)

FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS:
http://www.kabayancentral.com/music/viva/mmvrcds10412.html

The truth about the Banana Split apology message

Remember yesterday when there was an apology message before the January 8 episode of Banana Split?

As it said, there was a main reason:

The part from the New Year's Day episode of Banana Split where Melai burns the expressions, stuff, and issues from 2010 that needs to be forgotten.

Unfortunately, Mr. Fu, the radio DJ and TV star (he's now on WOW! MEGANON?!), reacted about that part where Melai burned a picture of unknowingly it was Mr. Fu on the pic that says "MEGANON?!" and Melai said that he looks like Megatron, the leader of the Decepticons and the famous arch enemy of Optimus Prime in Transformers.

Scoop: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/297276/melai-mr-fu-sorry-kung-nasaktan-siya

That part on the Banana Split January 1 episode mentioned on the January 3 episode of TV5's Juicy and the hosts were too furious about that HOT ISSUE.

Come on, Melai never intended to do that, she did this for the spirit of fun, not to hurt anyone especially Mr Fu, Kimerald (Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson), mentioning of hatings between Angelica Panginiban and Claudine Baretto, Sharon Cuneta and Aga Mulach, and the most talked Christine Reyes and Sarah Geronimo.

Now, Melai will talk about that part on The Buzz later on ABS-CBN, talking about burning a "Controversial Photo" by mistake. :-(

Video credit to the uploader

There was an apology before the start of Banana Split?!

Before the January 8, 2011 episode of Banana Split fleshed out, there was some announcement

Banana Split apology

In translation

" Back in January 1, Banana Split aired one segment with Melai Cantiveros where the expressions, stuff, and issues that needs to be forgotten from 2010. We apologize that someone was hurt or angered from this segment.


We are trying to make fun and we are wrong from unintended use of photos of people not intended for involvement. On behalf of Banana Split, we apologize to the people who were hurt from this segment.


We are trying to say that Melai does not have an angry intention or someone behind our production. Thank you for your consideration."

WHAT WENT WRONG?!

Anyway, on this episode, a new segment called Hot Issue, with Angelica Panginiban, Pooh, and John Prats, tackling the hot issues in showbiz, almost. Then, some jokes from under the sea. Later, Ryan Bang as Igor Stojokovic Krystic gets his own spin-off segment called Tekkie Muna, a segment where Igor shows off his crazy inventions, like this Extreme Outdoor Flame Light he invented. Kuya Art, the Art Throb, teaches us how to make bird and egg with the use of paper and scissors. Melai, as Alpha Beth, saves a girl from the snatcher with one substitute letter to the word "baso", the letter T! In Mutanglawin, John Prats as Kuya Keem tells us about "kissing", then some dances pulled from the BS Boys, and a game of SHOW IT!

Dodge Durango - 3rd Generation

Back in 1998, the Dodge Durango is actually a sporty utility vehicle spin-off of the small Dakota pick-up truck. Then, it followed with a full model change in 2003 as a 2004 model, along with its Dakota cousin. When the Durango's birthplace, the Newark plant in Delaware, was shut down, most of them know that the Durango is dead, or so we thought. In the summer of 2010, the Dodge Durango is reincarnated and no longer the SUV version of the Dakota, which is scheduled to be euthanized this year, and now as a full-size crossover SUV ready to tackle on the GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and now, the fifth-generation Ford Explorer as well!

2011 Dodge Durango

2011 Dodge Durango

Now evolved into a full-size crossover SUV, the third-generation Dodge Durango still carries the same Durango goodness now in its new form. On the design study, the new Durango has a hulking front face that impresses the crowd thanks to the newly revised Dodge signature grille. The rear view of the new Durango is somewhat like a Toyota Fortuner to me but I really like it. The new third-generation Durango is like the American Fortuner as we know it.

On the inside, the new instrumental panel on the new Durango really made a point and the leather seats are exquisite, making the driver and the passengers pleasurable to relax inside the new Durango. On the Citadel variant, you can see the words Citadel spelled it out on the front seats, plus it was covered in Premium Nappa leather seats. The egoist inside is somewhat an egoist quality for the Citadel variant on the new Durango.

The new Durango has an increased wheelbase of 3045mm (3030mm in the previous generation), decreased length of 5075mm (5100mm in the previous generation), width of 1925mm (1930mm in the previous generation) and the height of 1801mm (1890 in the previous generation). The downsizing makes it somewhat a point blank because the frame was based on the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the increased wheelbase makes it a point. Anyway, the shorter height comes with big surprises if you know what I mean.

The new Durango has two available engines; one is the all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the high-performance 360-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine. Both of these are equipped with the 5-speed automatic W5A580 transmission. My pick would be the 5.7 V8 engine because its the most flagship of the Durango variants but I could just go for the new Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine because this is a new engine for the new car.

On the safer side, the new Durango has a wide range of safety features such as the Rain Brake Support, Ready Alert Braking, Antilock 4-Wheel Disc Heavy Duty Brakes, Hill Start Assist, Air Bags, Electronic Vehicle Info Center w/ Reconfig Display, HID Headlamps, Blind Spot and Rear Cross Path Detection, Adaptive Speed Control / Forward Collision Warning, Enhanced Accident Response System, and Forward Collision Warning. These features make the new Durango a safer crossover to rely on.

The new Durango has four different variants to choose from; the standard Durango Express, the advanced Durango Crew, the stylish Durango Crew Lux, and the flagship Durango Citadel.Depending on the variant, the available color variantions are;

1) Inferno Red Crystal Pearl

2) Bright Silver Metallic

3) White Gold

4) Natural Green Pearl

5) Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl

6) Blackberry Pearl

7) Dark Charcoal Pearl

8) Mineral Grey

9) Stone White

My thoughts about the Durango:
The Durango is now reborn in a form of a full-size crossover SUV and its major major opponents are the GMC Acadia/Acadia Denali, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, or even the new Ford Explorer. Honestly, I think the new Ford Explorer is much better than the new Durango because of the advanced features that the Durango cannot have and the pricing is somewhat a winner for the Explorer because $28,190 (2,920,000 pesos as expected) is better than the new Durango's starter pricing of $29,195 (3,010,000 pesos as expected). Anyway, can the new Durango be the winner to the new line-up of Chrysler vehicles? I hope so, but the main targets could be average American families, executives, VIPs, especially the Mafia.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC

"Have a break, have a Ngit Ngat"

What just happened on the January 7, 2011 episode of Bubble Gang?

- In Cheche Bureche, did Cheche cleaned up the bedroom? Cheche knows that Dad said if whoever cleaned up the most deserves an ice cream. Bureche's mad because what just happened to her stuff and she wants Cheche to put it back but Dad's home. Word of advice Bureche; be competitive. But wait, Bureche doesn't know what "competitive" means and AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

- Bubble Gang spoofs the commercial of Nestle Kit Kat and gagged it as "Bestle Ngit Ngat".

- Jacky Woo, as James Wang, is back!

- The smoking gags

- Moymoy Palaboy and Roadfill in "Evanescence's Bring Me to Life"

- What to do with the blown fingers after New Year's Eve? (of course, these are the fingers haplessly blown by fireworks, but they have a lot of uses on these)

- Watch out for the Ghost Taker! The hostage taker on ghosts!

- Usapang Lasing with the boys

- A woman falls in love with the Pizza Delivery boy, then its everybody else!

- A dying man is not dying yet, except eating pancit

The Best of Lokomoko U Gags

On the January 7 episode of Lokomoko U:

- The most hilarious fan favorite of Lokomoko U, Pinoy Brainless, with JC De Vera and Rainier Castillo is here and geez, the stupidity made us laugh 100 times!

- The best gags of Lokomoko U since last year

- The Lola Basyang of Lokomoko U, named Lola Moko, is here again for the second time in "Ang Mga Alamat ni Lola Moko, and Lola Moko tells us the "Alamat ng Peklat".

- Mouse-ster and friends in Lokomoko U's Keso City introduced a newest mousy friend, Maria Cla-rat, a mouse from the poor province. In this Keso City, the mice ham out on everything college.

- Previously on Bahaw: Ikalawang Hain; the tensions between the characters led Blue (Empoy) singing the blues. Anyway, the house went out of power and who's going to light this out-of-power house? Doc, for sure.