Judge. New GS

The Spindle Grille

Oh wait, hang on. You thought I haven't recognize this one, don't you? Yes, I know, this is the new corporate look for Lexus called the Spindle Grille and you wanna guess what's that car we're driving? Nope, you're wrong because, ladies and gentlemen, part of the now-on-sale Forza 4 August Playseat Car Pack, it's the all new 2013 Lexus GS.

Grand Touring Sedan in F-Sport clothing

No, I wasn't kidding though, this is the real thing. This is the one with the Spindle Grille on it. This really is the 4th generation GS. Although it may said F-Sport, this isn't a firebreathing sports saloon made to wet the driver's pants. This is just a normal executive saloon car made for Asians in business suits who want to take a day out at some golf course in downtown Tokyo.

I didn't like the old Lexus GS, starting from the S140 (1991-1996), S160 (1997-2004), and the S190 (2005-2011). Anyway, the first two I've mentioned. Well, you know, the S140 and the S160, which are the Toyota Aristo in Japan. By the looks of it, these maybe look dull, boring, and a bit more of an electronic typewriter that you brought it at the office. The S140 is made for the senior-aged while the S160 is more of a E-Class copycat because of the headlamps. Also, I am not a big fan of the S190 Lexus GS because....what do you think? Reluctantly dull perhaps? Given the choice then I have picked a car that once said is better looking than the S190 Lexus GS and it was made by an American car maker and in fact, I just did.

The car who waited....

This, however, is the all new GRL10 Lexus GS and unlike the previous three generations, this looks stunning. The Spindle Grille really made it more aggressive and sharper, reminds me of the LF-Gh concept car I saw in New York last year. This car is about as cool as your bowtie, your fez, your Stetson, or your glasses. It is really that cool but it's difficult to explain why.

The interior though, it looks more like the BMW 5-Series but with all that 60:40 split-screen monitor, the Remote Touch, and all of those luxury peripherals, it seems that it's now even more advanced than the old GS's interiors of yesteryears. In case you have a gal trying to get in, she might be shocked to see one and she will say..."I'm in my nightie..." He he....he he he....

The one I'm driving on Forza Motorsport 4, however, was the GS350 F-Sport with the optional 4WD powertrain. Really? 4WD powertrain? How's that possible? Is it a mistake? Afraid not. This is not the erratum like we faced on the RUF CTR2 last month. This is just an optional feature equipped for some unknown purposes. It's a GS350 F-Sport with a 4WD, which in Japan, will cost about 7 million Yen. With the 4WD, it's all about the all-round grip and nothing usual. Sure, a Lexus GS with a 4WD layout is made to tackle through the wet but by the time you'll launch this, the 4WD system will hinder its start. Sure, it maybe set to 4WD but no matter because I can make it rear-wheel drive because if the New GS's a rear-wheel drive, it has to be that kind because by noticing the RWD layout on the New GS, it weighs less than the GS350 F-Sport 4WD and perfect weight distribution so handling feels like your favorite Aristo of yesteryears.

A showdown that gets interesting....

Either way, what I have here under the bonnet is a 3.5L V6 DOHC 2GR-FSE engine that generates about 318PS of power and 380Nm of torque. For FR variants, it will consume about 9.9km/L while 4WD variants get about 9.4km/L, all based on Japan's JC08 mode test cycle. It's mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Yep, paddle shifters on the Lexus. For the previous three generations, when I see the speedo reading up about 180kph, that's how you got personal because all Japanese cars, but not most of it, have speedometers read about 180kph. Don't forget that, folks. You can't max out a Japanese car that has a speedometer read up to 180kph (110mph). If you ever think that if you want to convert a speedometer from 180kph to something that is above the 180kph limit though, you're a crook and that's illegal to swap speedometers. Again, if you have a JDM car, it is illegal to upgrade the speedometer from 180kph (110mph) upwards because....like what Matilda said "It's illegal" and "you're a crook".

Happily however, on the new Lexus GS, the speedometer reads up to 260kph instead of the Japan-normal 180kph so, no harm done, as long as you're not exceeding the speedo limit. Ugh, why do illegal street racers who drive JDM cars want to  upgrade the speedometer from 180kph (110mph) upwards? That's against the law, right?

Anyway, forget about and still, I would now go for the new Lexus GS (GRL10) rather than any of the old Toyota Aristo models whose speedos read up to 180kph. This car made me want to play Forza 4 all over again rather than the rival video game. I would gladly want to have one rather driving something that lead me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly. It is that good and that is interesting. 

The Beast below Dunsfold

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 40

Oh...hey...Been checking the roof our our blog and guess what? We found some holes of it. Holes are made by idiots who are obsessed for car commercial songs and hey, we're flooded with damages from our blog such as "bmw x1 become one commercial song", "song from bmw commercial olympics 2012", "bmw m5 commercial song", "subaru commercial song rainbow", "porsche boxster commercial song", among many others.

To those who kept doing this...I have a word with you...DISPUTE REJECTED. CLAIM HAS BEEN REINSTATED! Get it? That's what you get for doing these kind of unpleasant things. Have you guys never learned your lesson? Be warned. CISPA is on to us....

Anyway, while we're diddling right about now, another set of five DRIVING MUSICS (Car Commercial Songs) for us to find...

5) Won't Let You Leave by Jenny O - from the US Subaru "Rainbow" commercial

4) Zdarlight by Digitalism - from the 2009 BMW X1 Commercial

3) Modern Drift by Efterklnag - From the 2012 Audi "Vorsprung Durch Technik" brand ad

2) Everywhere I'm Goin by The Go - From the Peugeot 4008 commercial

1) Deeper Love by Anastacia - from the Skoda Citigo commercial

...There you go folks. In case you've been messing up with my blog again with all you what's the song in a car commercial, why not comment below?

Let's Do The News! (August 7, 2012)

So, you said that the Fiat 500L is a perfect Mini Countryman rival but turned out that you are kinda unhappy with it. Why's that?

Because it kinda feels like it lacked something...

What?

It's...um....ah....

Well, what is it?

Its cheerfulness. That car won't make me happy and only a kissogram would ever drive it.

(audience laughing)

Well, have you seen this? The Fiat 500L has an espresso machine on it, does that impress you?

Nope. Even a mini espresso machine on it, it's still won't make me happy...

Oh, I see...

(audience laughing)

And now we will do the news and boy, this is another week of rain in the Philippines right? I've watched the news and my God, so many floods everywhere, even in Monumento!

Uh, even though Gener's not here, how come there's some flood. There was no tropical depression but how come there's more rain? Is it because of the so-called HANGING HABAGAT?

Yes, I think. And come to think of it, this whole rain really turned into a rainy vacation to our student friends because it's been several weeks that their classes got suspended because of the heavy rains. Yes, it's good that there's no classes because of the rain because, well everybody's a Garfield.

Everybody's a Garfield? What do you mean?

Garfield hates Mondays, right? So is this. A class suspension for one day, that's good but a week of class suspension because of the rain, that is not good because there are so many important things to do rather than just a week or worse, month-long class suspension.

Like what?

More lessosns, graded recitations, monthly activities depending on what school you're on, field trips, Foundation Day, and more that I can mention...

Oh, that's the point. Maybe a week long class suspension is not good because...THINK OF THE EDUCATION! THINK OF THE FAMILIES STRUGGLING THEIR HARD LIVES!

He's right. I think we should do about this whole raining fiasco in the Philippines. Rains are not much fun here you know.

Anyway, while people are getting the fuss about the floods, let's move on to something that's even worse. Have you guys watched the NASCAR Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway?

(audience murmuring)

Yeah, worse than we thought. The thunderstorms cut the race from the 160 lap race to just 98 laps. Gets worse, a fan was killed by a lightning strike after the race was called. Nine others fans were hospitalized.

Ouch. That's the worst case scenario of NASCAR history. I mean, one fan was killed by a lightning bolt during the NASCAR race at Pocono. What's his name?

We don't know his name but some say, he's 41 years old.

Oh. Speaking of the Pennsylvania storm, can't believe there was some flooding, some heavy traffic, flash floods, and a lightning strike at the children's baseball facility for God's sake!

Ouch.....Even in North America, it's painful and traumatizing about severe storms. Something tells me....

Uh, what?

Nothing. Nothing..

(audience laughing)

Okay. Oh, for those Filipinos reading this, take time for some emergency hotlines because this is very important;

Emergency hotlines

Thank You, God Bless, and stay calm during the severe storm, everybody!

Okay, let's move on from the storm and into other things before we got traumatized....Anyway, have you guys seen the SRT Viper GTS-R's debut appearance at American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge?

2012 SRT Viper GTS-R

Uh, no. Didn't caught up.

Me too.

Sadly though, we didn't see it but those people who witnessed the SRT Viper GTS-R's debut appearance told us that it's debut wasn't worked what it seems but it finished 10th place at the GT class of that race.

Scoop: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/srt-viper-gts-r-snags-tenth-place-class-finish-at-first-alms-race-161241.html

The #91 Forza Motorsport SRT Viper GTS-R driven by Kuno Wittmer and Dominik Farnbacher, managed to finish tenth in its class. Not bad though...

Yeah, for the Viper's comeback at the race, I think it was very impressive.

“There’s been so much anticipation for our first race. Now, we can focus on the last race of the season. We hope to get better with every lap. Keep watching, keep rooting for us. We’d love to see you at the track.” SRT Motorsports director Beth Paretta.

(audience applause)

Uh, why are you guys applauding?

(audience murmuring)

Oh well. Anyway, back in August 5, 2012, in Fuji Speedway, there was a gathering of Hachi-Roku owners as a tribute to the recently-launched TOYOTA 86 sportscar. That was called Fuji 86 Style and all TOYOTA 86 owners across Japan are driving around the Fuji Speedway, either stock or tuned by tuning companies across Japan. Have you been there?

Uh, sadly no. I wasn't there on that venue but hey, Fuji 86 Style, that's their way of saying thank you for the TOYOTA 86's continuous support but...

But...

You know it's a Toyota-Subaru car. Can't believe the BRZ didn't made a shine though.

Look, yesterday, I had a talk with the chaps and they said that even though they're the same thing, the BRZ looks ugly than the TOYOTA 86 or Scion FR-S as they say it.

(audience laughing)

Oh, hey now. Lamborghini Aventador, it will get a variable cylinder management and idling stop system for the 2013 model year.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/lamborghini-aventador-to-get-cylinder-management-system

Ooh, can't believe that the latest Lambo hypercar is getting a bit too eco-conscious right now thanks to some eco-friendly features planted on that car.

Yeah. It's a general fact that supercars and hypercars consume more fuel so they made some drastic measures to keep supercars fuel efficient so for that Lamborghini LP700-4, those eco-friendly features such as idling stop and variable cylinder management will be there but speaking of which. We never heard that a V12 engine would have that kind of feature I mean come on, we learned that from the Honda Accord Inspire......Can't believe Honda killed the Variable Cylinder Management system alongside the death of the Honda Inspire.

(audience laughing)

Oh, hey now. I'd picked up some news about Multiply. Because of some changes around here, here's what going to happen. That was told by the management of Multiply:

- From December 1st, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form - notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.). We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can.

- For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc), or migrate it to other online services. We'll announce the precise details shortly. It will be your choice whether to download, migrate or just let your content lapse (and get deleted).

- For our existing ecommerce users (both buyers and sellers) in Indonesia and the Philippines, there will be no action required.

- Regarding any existing Multiply Premium subscriptions we will refund any unused balance, and apologize for any inconvenience this will cause. Please contact customer service to request a refund. Note that this is for Multiply Premium, not the ecommerce related Multiply Trust product.

Keep that in mind folks....oh. Says here that Multiply will no longer became a blogging site.

(audience laughing)

What's the matter, fat middle aged man?

You know, this site was once a popular blogging site but as I heard that by the end of this year, Multiply's blogging services will be discontinued, focusing more on e-commerce for customers (buyers and sellers alike) in Indonesia and the Philippines.

So, what are you gonna do now?

Don't worry. I have a spare blogging site. It's Blogger!

(audience laughing)

Oh okay.

Right. And moving on. You know the story about Ford reducing its share to Mazda Motor Corporation? Well, that story made the effects profound because now, Mazda Philippines is no longer part of Ford Group Philippines, which had reports that they will recently close their Santa Rosa plant.

Oh, really? What now?

Says here that a Malaysian conglomerate, Berjaya Corporation Berhad, will be taking over Mazda Philippines.

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/malaysia-s-berjaya-sets-in-motion-acquisition-of-mazda-ph

So, the Malaysians are taking part of Mazda Philippines' businesses? Can't say what's what but its business you know.

Right, Malaysians reassuring Mazda Philippines. So moving on because I just heard that former Doctor Who lead actor, the actor who brought back Doctor Who on the telly in Spring 2005 and replaced by David Tennant on the 2005 Christmas Special and lasted through Part Two of DOCTOR WHO: THE END OF TIME special....

Who? Is it Christopher Eccleston? The former Doctor Who lead actor?

That's what I'm going to said...Thank You....

Christopher "The Ninth Doctor Who" Eccleston

Anyway, as I foresaw, the actor who brought Doctor Who back on the telly on Spring 2005, which is Christopher Eccleston, is once again portraying as a bad guy and this time on the sequel of last year's Thor movie.

(wow)

So, Sir Christopher Eccleston. He was the bad guy in Gone in 60 Seconds, he was Cobra's Destro on the G.I. Joe  - The Rise of Cobra movie, and now, he's going to play as the baddie on the 2013 Thor sequel? Who's that baddie going to be for our former Doctor Who lead actor?

He's going to be Malekith, the ruler of the Dark Elves, which is one of Thor's baddies and his evil plot to take down our favorite heroic God of Thunder superhero on Thor: The Dark World (tentative title) next Autumn 2013.

Scoop: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/08/the-ninth-doctor-vs-thor/

I see. He's going to be once again being the baddie and for this time, he's going to be one of Thor's greatest adversaries. This is brilliant. He he he...The Ninth Doctor vs. Thor!

(audience laughing)

Anyway, while on the subject of Who, you know the Mars Curiosity rover that NASA launched?

Scoop: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/mars-rover-curiosity-approaches-the-red-planet-live/2012/08/05/c51c9068-dd8c-11e1-af1d-753c613ff6d8_blog.html

Something tells me that the Curiosity rover that NASA sent it from Mars....Is going to remind me of that Guinevere One from the Doctor Who 2005 Christmas Special titled THE CHRISTMAS INVASION. I know what going to happen...

What?

Sycorax! (uh-oh)

(uh-oh sound from Luv U)

Sycorax going to take over our world?! Unless you are as brave as David Tennant, you can't take down their leader, not unless you're on a swordfight against their leader...

(audience laughing)

Whovians....Is there anything you can't think of? Oh! Have you guys seen THE SCIENCE OF DOCTOR WHO TV special? The special that discusses what if some Doctor Who related stuff exist in real life. Anyone saw it?

(audience laughing)

I see. Guess nobody didn't see that. Anyway, on that Saturday, there's going to be another Doctor Who TV special tackling on...the women! From Sarah Jane Smith, Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, to Amelia Pond, that TV special going to air on BBC America this Saturday at 9/8C tackles more on the classic and modern women who are always ready to lend a helping hand to The Doctor.

Sweet. I love to get to know more about the women of Doctor Who. It's been five decades since the program began in 1963 but hey, we all like the babes from that show because...that fueled our fantasies...

(audience laughing)

Fueled..your fantasy among them? Ahem...

(audience laughing)

Anyway, on that bombshell, that's the news and we'll leave you with the reminder of what might have been in the coming weeks until then, have a safe day and be careful with our hearts during the heavy rain. Take care, goodbye!

COMING SOON! Top Gear in Car Town!

Flashback: Before she was Amy Pond, she was.....an extra?!

Amelia Jessica "Amy" Pond from Doctor Who

As I'm sure we know, Whovians like us are getting a huge crush on Scottish actress Karen Gillan who was Amelia Jessica "Amy" Pond on the flagship BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who. Yes, I admit that she's even prettier than Billie Piper, strong-minded than Freema Agyeman, and has a sense of humor like Catherine Tate's (even though Karen and Catherine do have ginger hairs as we knew it).

Someone told be a few weeks ago about that gal. They told that Ms. Karen Gillan....

No. Series 5 wasn't her first appearance. She was....um....there during the David Tennant years....as an extra.

Eh, what? She was an extra during the David Tennant years (2005-2010) of Doctor Who? Some say, she's on Series 4 Episode 2 of Doctor Who titled THE FIRES OF POMPEII as...well, let's be kind, let's say one of the bad guys. The Soothsayer of the Sibylline Sisterhood, who saw the TARDIS materialize in Pompeii market square.

Most Whovians have gone loko and for me, I went overboard to the fact that she was an extra on Doctor Who back in 2008, two years before she attained the role of companion Amelia Pond in Series 5.

Is that really Amy Pond? She was.....

I decided to watch that whole FIRES OF POMPEII episode to see what is what but really, someone with a ginger hair appeared on that episode (nope, not Donna Noble), who was one of the Sisterhood, which turned out to be Karen Gillan was there and I said "That's impossible! That can't be her! Karen Gillan was Amelia Pond you know..." and some say that I have to look that up in the DOCTOR WHO ENCYCLOPEDIA e-book on my sister's iPad.

The DW ENCYCLOPEDIA e-book is right, it is her....

And the e-book was right. It's her. No doubt about it. Oops! Don't get them wrong, the message then is cleared. Ms. Karen Gillan was there during the David Tennant years of Doctor Who as one of the bad guys, which seems to be nearly a coincidence but now I knew about THE GIRL WHO WAITED...

Fiat 500L

The 500L name is highly coveted by classic car enthusiasts and this L in the 500L name stands for Lusso, which is Italian for luxury. Right, the L stands for luxury and it was produced from 1969 to 1972. Now, when Fiat launched the all new 500L to the public, it was like what the heck? L stands for Lusso but to justify this confusion...

2013 Fiat 500L

...The L in the all new Fiat 500L stands for large. Yep, this is the larger, fatter, brother of the Fiat 500 with two extra doors making it a five-door compact MPV that once said it could be the answer to my most hatred Mini Countryman. Yep, I do really hate the Mini Countryman because this car brought me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly.

What?! Those were from the PS3 version of THE IDOLM@STER 2. The costumes that the XBOX 360 version didn't have! I used those as a metaphor for my most hatred vehicle! Now, if you excuse me, would you let Commodore Clarksonio continue, okay? Ahem, to continue...

The thing about the new 500L is unlike the Countryman, the 500L looks a bit more well detailed, well dressed, and well made but sadly though, this is more like an altered version of the car which is claimed to be James May's perennial favorite....the new Fiat Panda! No wait, this isn't more of an altered Panda but this kind of look harks back to the Fiat 500K Giardiniera, built from 1960-77. All that retro-futuristic look really put some spice on it but what about on the inside?

2013 Fiat 500L interior

The inside is more like the Fiat Panda rather than the 500 but if you think this little fella is bigger on the inside, better do the math folks because with a capacity of almost 400 litres, you can fill up to five roller suitcases! Also, the 500L comes with the Cargo Magic Space system that you can adjust the load by three levels separating precious objects from the biggies. This is a wonderful thinking that Fiat's good at because with all that 415 cm long, 178 cm wide, 166 cm high and 261 wheelbase of dimensions, I was very impressed about this but I'm afraid this would get bullied by my Mini Countryman foe but no matter. You know that the Fiat 500L can seat up to five people while the Countryman seats four because of something that separates them. A clear win for the 500L though but this is only the beginning. Yep, Fiat's working on an long-wheelbase version of the 500L and it will have two more seats at the back!

2013 Fiat 500L

Anyway, while we're diddling right about that for a while, let's take a look at the performance. Because the L in the 500L name not only means large or lofty, it's Light, when 'lightness' means user-friendly technology and eco-friendliness. It comes with a "light" engine range of two petrol - 105 HP 0.9 Turbo TwinAir and 95 HP 1.4 l 16V Fire engines and one turbodiesel engine, the 85 HP 1.3 MultiJet 2, mated with the combination with the 5- or 6-speed manual gearboxes.

The all new 0.9 Turbo TwinAir engine generates 105 HP of power, 0-100kph in 12.3 seconds, and top speed of 180kph, which of course the top speed you can only achieve on most Japanese cars. Right, most but not many Japanese cars' speedos always read up to 180kph. Take note of that and anyway, this has the class-top fuel consumptionand emissions in the homologation combined cycle at the same time (4.8 litres/100 km and 112 g/km of CO2).

The 1.4 16V Fire engine though, it's just 6.2 litres/100 km with CO2 emissions staying within 145 g/km while the 1.3 16V MultiJet 2 engine consumes just 4.2 litres/100 km with 110 g/km of CO2 emissions in the homologation combined cycle. There you are folks, the 500L's light fuel consumption really adapts the concept of being a fuel-efficient compact MPV for the masses.

Here's some bits that you'll never noticed because the all new 500L comes with the all new "City Brake Control" which is capable of recognising obstacles in front of the car and of braking automatically when the driver fails to do so to avoid crashing into them. Remind you of any? Oh yeah! It was the same technology I'd expect from Volvo's City Safety or Subaru Eyesight Driver Assist System! How cool was that but better take precautions about this Assisted Brake feature because sometimes it doesn't work and you have to brake by yourself in an alert and vigilant way.

Aside from those, the Fiat 500L do come with Electronic Stability Control, Anti Slip Regulation, Hill Holder, Motor Schleppmoment Reelung, Driving Steering Torque, and Electronic Rollover Mitigation. Sadly however, there was one person who raised a hand and said "What is Motor Schleppmoment Reelung?" Simple; when there is a brisk gear change in poor grip conditions, the MSR function intervenes, restoring engine torque and preventing the wheels from locking and slipping. Simple as that.

Price? It's 15,550 Euros, that is the suggested retail price for the 500L. For a good side though, this car is all about personalization thanks to 11 exterior body colours, 3 different shades for the roof (black, white or selected body colour), 4 trim levels (Pop, Pop Star, Easy and Lounge), 3 rim colours (black, white, grey), 3 engine versions and 7 different interior configurations in addition to 140 accessories specially created for the model are available. Despite it's quintessentially Italian, the fact is though it's made in Kragujevac, Serbia, which I believe it's in Russia. Spoilers!

My comment:

Those senior people who have a classic Fiat 500-dedicated car clubs may seem to be disappointed when Fiat proposes to resurrect the “L” designation for a 2013 model being introduced in Geneva since March. That's a shame though that the L for this new 500L doesn't mean lusso or luxury because what Fiat said, the L stands for Large, Light, and Lofty.

Sadly though, the new 500L is a bit too lame, it's a bit too girly, it's a bit too good for a kissogram to get in, and it's as soft as an...Adipose. Gosh, I don't wanna be fat but hey, this fat version of the 500 compact with extra doors and extended length is a bit too perfect for those who want to go out for some shopping spree in Milan and you know what, that doesn't seem to be good enough to take down the Mini Countryman, which is essentially the Mini I always hate because it brought me nothing but Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, or Stratos Butterfly. Metaphors!

You know what? If I accidentally bought the 500L, I'm afraid I have to leave it to the firing range and continue my trip on foot while letting it rot but not a chance pal. Not a chance. Besides, it's still to young to get some preparen, abunten, fuego on the spot. I have to give it to some kissogram who likes it. Kissogram...What is a kissogram anyway?

Photo: Fiat

Welcome Back: 2010 Audi TT RS Coupe

Your rival video game has the Audi TTS, which is fun but not enough power to woo me. This game, Forza Motorsport 4, has the Audi TT RS, which has more power than the lame Audi TTS and a lot more fun to drive. Go ahead, you'll be the judge...

No tunnel's safe for this car!

The most powerful version of the Audi TT, the TT RS, comes with the 2,480 cc Inline-5 20v DOHC (CEPA) TFSi engine that generates about 335bhp of power and 332lb-ft of torque. Since the RS2 Avant, most Audi RS models are assembled at the quattro GmbH factory in Neckarsulm, Germany but for the TT RS, it's not made in Neckarsulm but instead produced at Gyor, Hungary, just like any other TT variants.

This car was mated with a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission and in tradition, it's available only with quattro all wheel drive powertrain. By 2010, a year after the TT RS' 2009 debut, it was offered with a 7-speed DSG transmission for quick shifting.

In the USA, when it was launched in third-quarter of 2011 thanks to some 11,000-signature petition on the internet, the Audi TT RS does not come with launch control, 7-speed DSG, or Recaro seats.

Welcome Back: 2010 Ford Shelby GT500

Run, sexy!

As we all know, the 2007 Shelby GT500 is a unicorn car but what if the 2007 GT500's not enough for you? For an alternate, try driving a GT500 that is not a unicorn, the 2010 Model Year GT500.

The 2010 model year GT500 was based on the 2010MY Mustang, noticing by its exterior and interior upgrades. To differentiate it, this comes with the unique front fascia with larger upper and lower grilles, a unique hood, large fog lights mounted in the lower front fascia (similar to the previous GT500), Shelby's signature cobra badges on the grille, front fenders, and trunk lid medallion (with Shelby lettering over the medallion), unique 19-inch wheels (18-inch on the convertible model), and a unique Gurney Flap rear spoiler.

The 5.3L DOHC V8 engine was been updated with some parts similar to the 2008 GT500KR and with the cold air intake, it produces 540HP of power and 691Nm of torque. It comes with the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed MT but with larger clutch discs and other measures for added performance and NVH. It also comes with Ford's AdvanceTrac traction and stability control system standard with different settings to control the level of performance the driver desires.

The 2010MY GT500's aerodynamic upgrades provide increase downforce and reduced drag coefficient and for enhanced handling, the 2010 GT500 comes with the suspension sourced from the 2008 GT500KR.

"Effective. Maingat magpagaling."

On the August 3, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang:

- "Laya ka na" gags that set you free from jail...well almost...

- Cheche and Bureche take a peek at some aquarium at the house

- Mr. Assimo at the barber shop

- This program is brought to you by KABAYO-DATA sheet...

- Pickup Lines provided by Sukli, Bagwis, and Boy Pick Up!

- Bubble Gang does Biogesic by spoofing this commercial as DIOGESIC! Effective. Maingat magpagaling.

- This program is brought to you by KABAYOGESIC

- This mother though, she prefers a dog over her son, who looks dirty.

- A pawnshop is too sentimental to measure the sentimental value of an item...

- IyoTube in We Are Young

Let's Do The News! (August 3, 2012)

And now the news! So, you were saying that GT5 doesn't have the New GS? Forza 4 has one?

Indeed yes. Can't believe the boffins of Gran Turismo didn't even like the Spindle Grille. I just want to drive one at Fuji Speedway.

Anyway, can we do some proper news now?

Right.

Anyway, remember the Roxas Blvd flood earlier. As of now, it's depleting and what they found here are some...ewww....garbage! Who would do such thing I mean most of them are throwing garbage irresponsibly. It's their fault for this!

Yeah. Turning rivers into a giant trash bin? Ahem, don't you know what this is? This is what happened when every single idiot are throwing massive garbage in the river. What's next? A giant silo packed with pig manure?

(audience laughing)

Pig manure? That would be impossible. Only Homer would do that from The Simpsons movie. (laughing) Anyway, I think everyone around here have learned their lesson...

Wait....This whole dumping of garbage at the river case, how would authorities figuring out some causes? It's like, you wouldn't understand what's behind this. Squatters maybe?

Squatters....that's the most of their problems because, who would rather put some shanties at the river? That's what causing the dumping! You know what the authorities would do? They should better demolish it! Destroy! DELETE! EXTERMINATE!

(audience laughing)

Whoa there pal. No fun. What about the families living? I mean, they lived here and what would they react to your point? Yep, they'll be throwing some massive complaints to you because you think of them as the main resource of dumping garbage in the rivers.

Whoops. Sorry, didn't meant to say that. I was trying to be satirical. Like Jeremy Clarkson, thinking that union protesters has to be shot dead next to their families.

..and getting worse because people think you said a cruel joke.

(audience laughing)

Anyway, what's that on your hand?

Psychic paper.

What?

PSYCHIC PAPER! Looks like a blank paper but it works like magic. Doctor Who used that.

Anyway, what's that it said on your little....Psychic Paper?

Says here....Pagani Zonda R Evoluzione debuted at 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed a few weeks ago...

Scoop: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5230/Pagani-Zonda-R-Evoluzione.html

What? I thought the Zonda is dead and replaced by the Huayra?

That's what they thought but this Zonda R Evoluzione proves that there's life to this decade old Modena exotic.

Oh...

Wait! There's another one said on the Psychic Paper...

What is it?

Says here um... 1,000 1-Series M Coupe units left for sale

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/bmw-has-around-1-000-1-series-m-coupe-units-left-for-sale

Ahem...you know that production of the 1M Coupe ended since March. We told that after we went back from the easter holiday. So, with 1000 units left worldwide, it seems that most enthusiasts have gone to an elusive hunt for these baby M's. This one's a collector's item.

Yep. Really is a collector's item. Be sure to get one quick because when they're gone, they're gone for good. Right?

Oh wait! Hold on! Another one coming up! Psychic Paper giving me messages. Cool.

So, what is it this time?

Says here...2013MY Volkswagen Amarok gains an enhanced diesel powertrain along with new convenience features, an increased trailer load and an extended 12 warranty against corrosion perforation.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/08/2013-vw-amarok-pickup-truck-benefits.html

So...2013 Amarok, the engine performance of the manual gearbox equipped 2.0-liter BiTurbo TDI diesel unit has been boosted from 161hp (163PS) to 177hp (180PS) bringing it to the same output level as the automatic transmission versions. Then, BlueMotion Technology and automatic transmission variants were available....

That's amazing for the German pickup truck that takes on the un-Japanese and un-American midsize trucks. This is the only pickup truck we could trust even though it's expensive. This is the only pickup truck that was sold in its home market.

Right. The only pickup truck that is sold to its home market. Unlike Isuzu, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Ford, and Chevy. Why can't their midsize trucks don't work on their home market?!

(audience laughing)

Oh! Oh! There's another one and you'll gonna like it!

What is it?

It says...Have you seen the full trailer of the upcoming season of Doctor Who?!

....WATCH THIS!

(AUDIENCE APPLAUSE)

Best trailer ever! And at the end of that trailer...WHO KILLED ALL THE DALEKS?

Yeah! Who killed all the Daleks? Who do you think?

We don't know! Is it our heroes? OR IS IT? I'm afraid we have to wait to find out the answer! Speaking of which, there was one part on the trailer that the Weeping Angels are back with a vengeance. As we all know, the Weeping Angels are far out the most scariest Doctor Who enemies ever seen because...what what can you say?

DON'T BLINK! DON'T BLINK! Don't turn back!

Yeah. Turns out there's going to be some new variant of this Weeping Angel monster. Seen here?

Some say, there could be the "baby" of the Weeping Angels. That reminds me... (clears throat) Could that reminded me of that baby angel statue we had outside of our home?

(audience laughing)

Who knows? Don't blink! If that touched us, we're dead. We could be killed by some moving statues! (laughing)

And another thing that I really REALLY don't understand was...

Dinosaurs! On a Spaceship! What?! A Jurassic spaceship? Spaceship loaded with dinosaurs? This could be worse than dinosaurs at the Top Gear Test Track during the Z4 vs. 370Z review.

(audience laughing)

DINOSAURS! ON THE TOP GEAR TEST TRACK!!! (laughing)

Who wouldn't?! It seems that the BBC Television Center's gone a bit jurassic! Hat tip to the producers!

Anyway, on that bombshell...what's that said on the psychic paper?

THAT'S THE NEWS!!!

The Aristo Story

Toyota's Aristo is sold as the Lexus GS for the global market back then. In Gran Turismo 5, they do have the first and final generations of Toyota Aristo and because there was no S190 Lexus GS and neither is the latest GRL10 Lexus GS, well because Yamauchi-sensei wouldn't mind about the new model, we had to make do with those; the JZS140 and the JZS160 Aristo or Lexus GS you may call it...

S140 Toyota Aristo

We begin with the S140, which is of course the first generation Toyota Aristo or Lexus GS known to many from the rest of the globe. First released in Japan since October 1991, the Aristo uses the platform derived from the Crown Majesta and the design was penned by Italdesign Giugiaro. Variants include the 3.0V, which has a 2JZ-GTE engine, and the 3.0Q, which has a 2JZ-GE natural aspiration engine. Later on, they even offered the 4.0Z i-Four, which comes with the 1UZ-FE engine from a Toyota Celsior or Lexus LS400.

This car was produced at Toyota's Tahara plant at Aichi Prefecture and either men or robots were responsible for assembling the packaging. This car was sold at the Toyota Vista dealership back then and it bridged the gap between the Cresta and the Chaser.

What I think about this generation though is rather a bit disappointing. You see, this car was made for those who are senior enough to play golf, go out at a country club, or your professor's driving one of these. Because it has a 4-speed automatic transmission that...doesn't make any sense, this car is sensibly quiet, comfortable, and bored. Yep, I am that bored because every time I drove the S140 Aristo, it feels like I was a passenger on this car. I didn't like the S140-type Aristo because...it's a bit dull, it's a bit ugly, and overall, too bland.

Because of that, in 1997, Toyota quickly responded about that and then they made the Aristo even better with this...

S160 Toyota Aristo

This is the S160 Toyota Aristo, the second-generation model, which today, it remains coveted by JDM enthusiasts because of its unique handling, unique style, and overall, high possibility of tuning this car into a shouty drifting machine or some sort of VIP STYLE car with lowered suspension, aero kits, oversized rims, and so much bling bling, which is a bit of a nuisance to me.

For this generation, the V8 engine and the 4WD layout has been dumped. Well, the V8 engines can be seen on the world market Lexus GS via GS400 or GS430 perhaps. The enthusiast's favorite, the V300, comes with the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE engine, while the simpler S300 comes with the natural aspiration 2JZ-GE engine. The VERTEX EDITION though, it comes with 17-inch rims and a rear spoiler to add some sportiness. Of course, the VERTEX EDITION is the pick for every boy in baseball hats reversed because of all those features may wish to pump up this executive saloon. Even with the 4-speed AT, they do come with a 5-speed Auto with manual mode in a form of buttons on the steering wheel. Cool, shifting gears via some buttons on the steering wheel? Who would have thought of that? Oh yes! Paddle shifters hadn't been invented yet until the 2000's!

It's really a brilliant car. Fast, agile, bulky, precise, and in terms of bangs for your buck, valuable. You might imagine that it's very sad that Toyota don't make these anymore. Those kind of cars you want to take it out to the Shutokou, that's what make the S160 Aristo cool. Sadly though, this is the last Aristo offered in Japan because production ended in November 2004 and it was replaced by the Lexus GS because in 2005, Toyota began selling Lexus-branded cars in Japan. Too bad that the GRS190 Lexus GS wasn't present on the game and neither is the latest GRL10 Lexus GS that a rival video game's going to feature it.

It's a shame that we don't get the 2013 Lexus GS on Gran Turismo 5 because Kazunori Yamauchi's been very busy sorting out for more but if I have to choose which of these Aristos will be, I would go for the shouty S160 Aristo because it's a favorite among JDM enthusiasts and it's the type of executive saloon common for the VIP STYLE scene.

Initial D-Rifter

Hachi-Roku Drift

This is what I'm on about. This is the AE86 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX, the tail-happy, tire burning, star of Initial D. This is what we think of the AE86! The base car, pumped up! You ever wonder why did Takumi Fujiwara never spoke during a race in that anime? It's because...we wouldn't have our own words!

This is just like Mt. Akina!

Now, the thing about this car though, it's called the S. SHIGENO Version, and this owner though that is Shuichi Shigeno, the author of Initial D, he had its engine improved so it's producing about 207HP of power. It even comes with familiar looks that are familiar to Initial D fans many but however, there's no Fujiwara Tofu insignia at the right side. That doesn't matter though because this pumped up AE86 has the qualities of the car Takumi Fujiwara drove so it's all about being bonkers on the corners. As I said bonkers, I do mean it because it takes a Takumi to master the skill of the AE86 because this car's a bit twitchy and a bit difficult because the power steering's a bit vague. Also, this car's a bit too slow on the straight lines. You can drive though the corners and you can drift through the corners and that's it. Don't get me wrong though, this car is fantastic. It's brilliant when it comes to its noise.

Probably, we're sad that we don't have Toyotas like these anymore....

Welcome Back: 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe

In the 1950's the Mercedes-Benz 300SL was the fastest production car of its day. Codenamed W198, it was introduced in 1954 as a coupe with the fascinating gullwing doors and later an open roadster. 

This car is a softened road-legal version based on the company's successful 1952 race car, the W194. It comes with the 3.0L M198 SOHC I6 engine fitted with a Bosch mechanical gasoline direct injection system that generates about 212-222 hp. It was mated with the 4-speed manual transmission.

As of now, the classic 300SL with the gullwing doors became a collectible with prices in the US$700,000-1,000,000 range. Sports Car International ranked this car as the number 5 sports car of all time. The present day SLS AMG inspired the Gullwing doors from the 300SL.