Let's Do The News! (December 18, 2012)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

A new naming scheme from Infiniti

Beginning in the 2014 model year, there's going to be a new naming scheme for Infiniti, Nissan's world market luxury brand. That means, the brand will use the letter Q for all sedan and coupe models while the QX name will be used for their SUV and crossover lineup. First model will be the replacement for the Infiniti G sedan, called the Q50, which serves as the next generation Nissan Skyline V37 sedan. The Infiniti M will be called Q70, G Coupe and Convertible will be called Q60, QX will be called QX80, FX to QX70, JX to QX60, and EX (Nissan Skyline Crossover) to QX50, respectively.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/infiniti-announces-new-naming-strategy.html

2014 BMW Z4 E89 facelift

2014 BMW Z4

A minor change occurred for the BMW Z4 E89 and for this minor change comes with the three-dimensional design of the LED light rings on the headlamps, the BMW lettering on the LED accent lights on top, the new available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels and a newly designed, tapered surround for the side indicators. Mineral Grey metallic, Glacier Silver metallic and Valencia Orange metallic are three new colors joining for the 2014 model year and that's not all, it even includes a cheaper version called the sDrive18i, which comes with the 2.0L turbo engine that generates 156PS of power and 240Nm of torque, mated to either a 6MT or an 8AT.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/2014-bmw-z4-roadster-ever-so-faintly.html

AWD Sport variant for the 2013 Dodge Charger

2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport

With winter comes, Dodge is prepped up with an AWD Sport version of the 2013 Charger saloon. It is a limited edition model that comes with some styling tweaks, convenience, paddle shifters, and a new SPORT MODE for the transmission and the option of two engines, a 370hp Hemi V8 and a 300hp Pentastar V6.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/dodge-announces-new-2013-charger-awd.html

WALD's even more serious 86 body kit

WALD Toyota 86 Sports Line

A couple of months ago, Wald unveiled their first body kit for the Toyota 86 sports car with a front half spoiler, side skirts, a duck tail-like boot lid spoiler, and two-tone alloy wheels. For next year's Tokyo Auto Salon, WALD tries to make it even more serious with the Sports Line edition for the Toyota 86. With this, you can expect an SLR-like hood, rear fender extensions, a rear diffuser with quad tailpipes, a wide rear wing and deep-dish, five spoke alloy wheels housed in low-profile performance tires.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/wald-international-gets-more-dramatic.html

Top Gear Magazine December 2012 issue

Top Gear Magazine December 2012 issue

2012, it's almost over, and BBC's Top Gear Magazine are in search for the best car of 2012. Not only that, seems that the Top Gear boys chose their best cars of the year that tickles their fancies. As some of them who has this magazine, they might recognize that the latest Ferrari, the F12berlinetta, became BBC Top Gear Magazine's Supercar of the Year 2012. Pagani Huayra is Richard Hammond's Car of the Year, Toyota 86 is Jeremy Clarkson's Car of the Year, and McLaren MP4-12C Spider is James May's Car of the Year.

Pagani Huayra and Richard Hammond

Toyota 86 and Jeremy Clarkson

McLaren MP4-12C and James May

Another Prologue to The Snowmen!

Back in BBC Children in Need 2012 special, they did aired a prologue to this year's Doctor Who 2012 Christmas Special, the SNOWMEN. In the prologue to this special called THE GREAT DETECTIVE, we witnessed some old allies returned and formed three-quarters of the Paternoster Gang. Yep, we're talking about our old pals from A Good Man Goes to War episode; Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint and Strax.

For this second prologue, called Vastra Investigates, well, you have to watch this and find out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rirju6is4Sw

Doctor Who: The Snowmen premieres Christmas Day!

UK - 5:15pm on BBC One

US - 9/8 central on BBC America (U.S.)

Canada - 9E/6P on Space (Canada)

Australia - Boxing Day, Wednesday 26 December 2012 at 7.30pm on ABC1.

American Whovians get to see the new K9!

The new K9!

Doctor Who fans love the robot dog named K9. Whether if its from the old Doctor Who years or as Sarah Jane's trusty sidekick, it's still one of the best Doctor Who character that I like to define it as either "The Doctor's Best Friend" or "Sarah Jane's Best Friend". A couple of years ago, in UK, they've aired a new K9 spin-off show featuring the all new K9 robot dog, complete with a new look, new hovering ability, and the same K9 loyalty from its predecessors. Here's how this show is about:

In the not too distant future, Earth was been ravaged by disasters and the government made cyborg technology that replaces human law enforcement with Cybernetic Civil Pacification Corps, which was ruled by the Department.

K9 was once a robot dog made by a professor who accepted a position at the Bi-Al Foundation from the 50th century. If you recall the old Doctor Who, the foundation summoned The Doctor and his then-partner, Leela, and then he's suffered by some intelligent virus, which the professor and K9 made an antidote to save him. Before The Doctor and Leela left, the professor offered K9 to them to aid in The Doctor's journeys. When The Doctor bid farewell to Leela because she has to stay in Gallifrey with commander Andred, K9 was offered to stay with Leela.

After that, The Doctor created an exact copy of K9. Dubbed Mk.2, it has the same features as K9 but comes with a stronger power source, improved tracking circuits, and for added defense, a blaster on K9's nose. K9 remained with The Doctor until the TARDIS was stolen by a time-sensitive Tharil named Blorc. K9, along with a Time Lady and The Doctor's then-partner, Romana, was imprisoned but freed by a Tharil named Lazlo. With the Tharils freed and The Doctor and the TARDIS catapulted back to normal space, K9 chose to be in E-space with Romana in order to save the Tharils from slavery.

The Doctor built K9 Mk.3 and this version was a present for his former partner, Sarah Jane Smith. The Mk3 version comes handy in the rounding up of a witches coven at Moreton-Harwood.

In Series 2 of the new Who, The (Tenth) Doctor, along with Rose and Mickey, come face-to-face with his former partner, Sarah Jane, in an episode called School Reunion. On that episode, in order to stop the Krillitanes, K9 sacrificed himself to save the students. When, The Doctor, Rose, and Mickey, bid farewell to Sarah Jane, he left a present for her, an improved version of K9, called Mk4, which aided Sarah Jane on her adventures from a Doctor Who spin-off (most of it may remember it right before the passing of the actress who played Sarah Jane, who is Elisabeth Sladen, last year) called The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Anyway, enough story telling for that, onto the new K9 spinoff. He arrives at Professor Gryffen's home. Gryffen was an expert who made an Alien Space-Time Manipulator, which travels K9 to distant worlds and he was been followed by alien enemies, the Jixen Warriors who attacked Gryffen, and some teenagers named Starkey and Jorjie. To save them, K9 self-destruct himself but miraculously reformed by some strange alien device planted on his mainframe. Thus, the new K9 was born. Such new features on the new K9 did come with a terrible consequence; he lost his memory. Yep, K9 completely forgot about himself so in this new spin-off, not only the new K9 pledged to save mankind from aliens and a cybernetic empire that rules with an iron fist but also trying to cope up with its past. Aiding the new K9 was Starkey, Jorjie, and Darius who was the teenager Gryffen often asks him for errands.

America's SyFy channel was very pleased to air K9 in the US telly and as a treat, Christmas Day –Tuesday, December 25 – from 10AM-11PM ET/PT. 

Everybody say AFFIRMATIVE!

Scoop: http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/17/syfy-fetches-uk-series-k9-for-christmas-day-marathon/162102/

What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 18, 2012)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Appeared in a hilarious redneck car chase movie, titled Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, you're looking at the legend that took places where no car has gone before. Big Enos was right about this because this is a legendary muscle car you'll find it hard to catch behind the wheel.

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

1934 Chrysler Airflow

Now when Chrysler launched the Airflow back in the 1930's, Chrysler made a marketing stint for this car. They've stuck the car going backwards throughout Detroit, Michigan and this kind of marketing is just one of the examples Chrysler had planned something big, meaning that this car will emerge that no other car has to offer.

1934 Chrysler Airflow

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

When it was debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, this was hailed as America's most powerful production car and it became the benchmark for General Motors' performance benchmark. Countless motorsport involvements with the Corvette had been tinkered to this remarkable achievement that transforms the Corvette into a half-decent supercar that competes against Europe's and Japan's finest.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The 500th Lexus LFA is produced. The end of Lexus' supercar...

Sad news folks, as planned, Toyota Motor Corporation has produced the 500th, and the last, Lexus LFA supercar in its Motomachi plant.

The Lexus LFA supercar was limited to 500 units worldwide, with 20 units produced monthly from December 2010 to December 2012.

It's official folks. The 500th LFA was produced and this is farewell to Japan's V10 supercar as we know it.

Goodbye, Lexus LFA.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/2/178076/

Volvo V40 Cross Country

2013 Volvo V40 Cross Country

Okay, this isn't what it exactly meant to be but why would Volvo brought back the "Cross Country" name for this sport utility wagon version of the V40 instead of another XC like the XC70, XC60, and the XC90? Don't blame me, blame Volvo why did they resurrect the Cross Country moniker. Some say that the terms XC and Cross Country are synonyms but Volvo said they're not. What's the difference? Volvo says that XC models have a distinct crossover character with unique body-styles including an elevated seating position, while the Cross Country models are expressive all-road versions of our dynamic wagons and hatchbacks. Huh? Wait a minute...Never mind about that whole conundrum set up by Volvo because you know why? I just don't get it.

Anyway, this new version is 40mm higher than the standard V40 and with such height increase comes with some added looks such as retaining the same rim sizes from the original, contrasting bumper, honeycomb mesh grille, upright DRL-lights, sculpted sills, and the contrasting rear bumper with integrated skid plate. It maybe just the same V40 look with some cosmetically enhanced toughness but overall, the XC err... Cross Country version tries to be a tough one even though in this such size as a hatchback.

For a car like this, the V40 Cross Country is kinda targeted for the outdoorsy type of person, someone who loves to go out for the great outdoors such as the mountains, the forest, the falls, or whatever nature made for us. Thinking about it, if you were going out BMX-ing, fishing, hunting deers, fortune hunting, or something what an adventure lover really want to, seems that this is the kind of Volvo for them if they can't afford on the XC models.

I was just wondering, in such cars like this, I am becoming more of a half-businessman, half-adventurer, meaning that there's all work, all play for me, meaning that I can use it to go to the office for work, or use it while going out for my leisure trip such as going for a game of basketball, or billiards, or boxing, or a dance-off by night, or anything that kills my boredom amidst the stringent schedule done by the times. Here in the V40 Cross Country, this is possible for me. I think it's better to drive and better to have one than the Subaru XV but don't think of ever getting one of these because in terms of pricing, it's much more expensive than the Subaru XV. Despite pricing, the V40 Cross Country has more features than the Subaru XV and also, they both have the same safety features especially the one that automatically brakes in the near-collision scenario.

Unlike the XV, which only comes with a 2.0L petrol engine, the V40 Cross Country do come with a host of petrol and diesel engines such as the 115PS D2, 150PS D3, 177PS D4, 180PS T4, and the 254PS T5 (the most powerful in the lineup). The T5 model of the V40 Cross Country comes with all wheel drive with class leading driving dynamics so you can go anywhere no matter what, even in the rain. Sounds reasonable and the Powershift transmission, available on the T4 model, is just another double-clutch goodness for this car. This is much better than the "Taters Donna Tate" CVT stuff in the XV.

It maybe cost more than the Subaru XV but the V40 Cross Country is just one of the examples that a Swedish-based carmaker can think of, despite the fact that it was made by Belgians in Ghent. It maybe more expensive than the XV but with all of the features loaded, this is much more of a premium blend. It's like Nescafe premium blend best served hot in a nice coffee table made out of wood.

Seat Leon Third generation (Typ 5F)

The SEAT Leon...if my memory serves me correctly, the Leon is nothing more of a Volkswagen Golf with a bit of se habla espanol because it is just a Spanish equivalent to the Golf. This car may have spawned two generations but it still won't deny that it's still a VW Golf after taking Spanish lessons. Besides, it does come with the same engine choices from the Golf as well...

2013 Seat Leon

At long last, a full model change for the Seat Leon and hey, do you think it still has the guts of other Leons to prove it has the wit to stay competitive? Do you think it's going to feel like Leon the Professional? Leon Guerrero? Leon S. Kennedy? Sadly, it's a no because this is just the same old Leon for nothing because even though it's an all new model, it still just based on the Golf 7 because of its new MQB platform developed by Volkswagen Group for future models. Let's not forget that future VW Group models will be using this new platform no matter which body style they're on.

2013 Seat Leon interior

First of all is the design and this one's rather looking similar. The new Leon is becoming more like the big brother of the recently facelifted Seat Ibiza compact car. When you put them both, just look at them. Their fronts really look like it was some sort of inheritance of genes, just like when a little boy has the nose of his father's and the pubic hair of his. Okay, it's going to be too cheesy for words but anyway, how about the interior? It seems that VW's doing the right thing to make the Leon more accessible for the drivers because most of the switches, buttons and controls in the new SEAT Leon are located exactly where the driver would expect them to be. New to the Leon is the techie-favored Easy Connect system which features a user-friendly touch-screen. For beginners, the Media System Touch gets a CD player with SD card slot, four speakers and a five-inch touchscreen while for the advanced yuppies, the Media System Colour includes a better screen, six speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, USB and aux-in. Then, comes the Media System Plus, which adds iPod connectivity, DAB, voice recognition, eight speakers and sat nav, and finally, the SEAT Sound System, which upgrades to ten speakers and a sub-woofer. Sounds lovely and this is becoming a premium hatchback in its own right when most of the concessions to comfort and convenience are bundled together in the all new Leon.

2013 Seat Leon

There are several kinds of engines available on the new Seat Leon such as a 1.2 TSi, 1.4 TSi, 1.8 TSi, 1.6 TDi, and a 2.0 TDi engine. Choosing either of these engine lineups is like choosing for your Pringles flavor of choice at your nearest 7-Eleven convenience store but whichever side you're on, you might be expecting a choice of either a five- or six-speed manuals and seven-speed DSG twin clutch systems.

When you take your foot on, the Seat Leon feels like you're swimming with hard candy that smells like menthol and tastes like fruit...and menthol. They're like MAXX menthol candies to me when I'm driving one because when I bite one of these, it feels a bit rough but by not biting one of my MAXX's, it feels a bit okay to me, it soothes me right until the MAXX in my mouth is shrunken down to nothingness. That's how the driving feel of the new Leon feels like, having a piece of my favorite fruit-menthol hard candy in my mouth and decide if I'm going for the fast but rough way or the slow but sensual way.

It might be a VW Golf taking so much Spanish lessons but the new Seat Leon (Typ 5F) can make a decent opponent to the likes of the Citroen C4, Alfa Romeo Giuletta, Peugeot 308, or the brand new Renault Clio. As for me, I didn't like this new model in terms of its design because it looks like an oversized Ibiza to me. Seems like some alien boy's busy playing with his grow ray and he accidentally zap it on the parked Ibiza in Madrid until it grew into something. He he he... Anyway, as for the driving style, it's harsh but when you take it slowly, it's not that harsh. Remember the fruit-menthol candy reference I'm talking about. It was quite a surprise that VW Group invested a few Euros just to regenerate the Leon...only know is can the Leon cope up in Spain's current economic climate? I mean of course, there's been a huge debt crisis lingering on in Europe for several months now and I think the Leon might not work here unless it has the chance. Besides, now that SEAT is coming to China, will the Chinese appreciate the new Leon more? Spoilers...

PRICE LIST:


León 1.6 TDI CR 90 CV (66 kw) Emoción 17.720 €
León 1.6 TDI CR 90 CV (66 kw) Reference 19.770 €
León 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV Start&Stop (77 kw) Reference 20.300 €
León 1.4 TSI 122 CV Start&Stop (90 kw) Style 20.330 €
León 1.4 TSI 140 CV Start&Stop (103 kw) Style 20.870 €
León 1.6 TDI CR 105 CV Start&Stop (77 kw) Style 21.900 €
León 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV Start&Stop (110 kw) Style 23.250 €
León 1.4 TSI 122 CV Start&Stop (90 kw) FR 21.790 €
León 1.4 TSI 140 CV Start&Stop (103 kw) FR 22.330 €
León 2.0 TDI CR 150 CV Start&Stop (110 kw) FR 24.710 €

Let's Do The News! (December 15, 2012)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

Terror in the kindergarten

If you think that the mass murder during the showing of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES at some theater in Colorado was the worst to happen this year, this one's gets worse, literally. There was a massacre occurred at some kindergarten in Newtown, CT. and some say, 20 kids were slain as well as others, including the principal, and the mother (who is a teacher of this kindergarten) of the suspect responsible of this mass murder. Wouldn't you believe it? 20 kids aged from 5 to 10 were slain, butchered, and killed by some heartless murderer.

That brings us a question, will our schools especially kindergartens need to be more secured in times of attacks like these? Those poor children...we can never reclaim their lives. We've lost a lot of children and a lot of hope for the holidays especially their futures. These deaths may be considered a fixed point and fixed points CANNOT be rewritten.

Scoop: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/14/us-connecticut-towns-idUSBRE8BD0U120121214

Astonishingly stupid...

Sure, Facebook ads are made to targeting users based on their interest. What if that content is tragedy? A concerned Facebook user noticed some ad about a shooting game while breaking his silence about a massacre in Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT.

Sickening and offensive targeted ad

Scoop: http://www.fastcompany.com/3004041/targeted-facebook-ad-goes-horribly-wrong-after-newtown-school-shooting

This concerned Facebook user would say "You showed this kind of ad up during the Newtown massacre" ASTONISHINGLY STUPID for that kind of advertising...

2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra revealed

2014 Chevrolet Silverado

2014 GMC Sierra

Looks like you made it. That's the lyric of the song with the same title though and that's how you've expressed since the full model change of the Chevrolet Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin for the 2014 model year were revealed online ahead of its world premiere at next month's NAIAS in Detroit. Specs remain few for now but GM says that there's been downsizing of engines, meaning that these two pickups are now carrying 4.3-liter V6 and 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8 engines. Still, these next-generation GM pickup trucks are becoming one of the most dependable workhorses in North America. If your name starts with Dave, you can't get one because most Daves drive Ford pickups. (laughing)

Twinkie, anyone?

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/2014-chevy-silverado-and-gmc-sierra.html

Oh, and speaking of twinkies...

Last shipment of Twinkies lands in Chicago

One of the most iconic snacks in America, which is the Twinkies (well known for its so-called shelf life), met its demise when the company that makes the Twinkies, which is Hostess, declared bankrupt. If you live in Chicago and if you love Twinkies, this is the last chance to buy one because the last shipment of Twinkies were landed in Chicago and once its sold out, it will spell the end of the Twinkie era until (if and when) the brand is bought and restarted. Quite ironic that Twinkies never die but seems that the financial trouble did killed one of America's most iconic snacks.

Scoop: http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2012/12/11/15840307-last-hostess-twinkies-shipped-to-chicago-area-supermarkets?lite

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class minor change revealed

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

For its facelifted version of the current-generation E-Class, it ushered a new age of the luxury brand. For starters, the four separate headlamps, an E-Class staple since 1995, were ditched in favor of a single one-piece unit on each side that encompasses all lighting elements. The same case happened on the new GS when the four separate headlamps were ditched and replaced with a one-piece unit. What I heard that this facelifted version, in sedan and estate model, will come with new engine choices and new technologies. Welcome everyone to the new age of Mercedes-Benz...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/revamped-2014-mercedes-benz-e-class.html

WALD customizes the 2013 Lexus LS

WALD Lexus LS (2013)

Seems that the facelifted Lexus LS flagship model is looking good enough to get some modifications for some "gangland style". With WALD, they made it possible to add some spice on the looks of the new Lexus LS! Set to be revealed at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, no additional details given for this WALD Lexus LS modification program but what they did there is lowering its ground clearance, adding some muscular body kit, oversized rims that is enough to attract the yakuzas, and more that they will mention it later...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/2013-lexus-ls-facelift-slammed-down-by.html

ARTISAN SPIRITS creates body kit for Lexus LFA

Artisan Spirits Lexus LFA

For the first time in LFA history, here comes the aftermarket injection provided by Artisan Spirits.  They're made from carbon fiber, there’s a front lip spoiler, side steps, rear under steps, trunk spoiler, and a front license plate holder. The full aero kit will cost about ¥1,500,000 (or $17,957 USD) in Japan, so that's costly if you have the rarest Lexus car in the world.

URL: http://artisanspirits.co.jp/car-lineup/lexus/lfa/lfa-ssl/index.html

Elia tunes the Renault Dacia Duster

Elia Dacia Duster

German-based tuner, Elia, tries to get their hands dirty by modifying the Renault/Dacia Duster to bring some bling bling for the buck. Modifications to the Duster were done with some matte black styling kit that includes the wheel arch extensions, the lower halves of the bumpers, the mirrors and the door decals, along with an assortment of chrome accessories such as the front and rear bull bars, rocker panels and the 20-inch wheels.

If cops see you drive one of these, watch out though...Modified cars are becoming a leading cause of motoring-related criminal activities...

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/elia-brings-in-bling-to-dacia-duster-suv.html

Our Norton AntiVirus subscription was expried...

Oh dear, it seems that our Norton AntiVirus software was expired today. Guess I'm gonna need to buy another one-year subscription to Norton AntiVirus...

Two epic flavors in one!

On the December 14, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Christmas dance rehearsal gags...

- Can I interest you with some bullet-proof shirt?

- This guy's too shy for some socialism

- Again, Tata Lino's back for more quotes to live by...

- Bubble Gang does Selecta Cornetto Black and White by spoofing this commercial as Selesta Surenetto Black and White! Two epic flavors in one!

- Tessie Tomas guests stars in a sketch called Showbiz Dynasty as some politician who's bothered about showbiz dynasties...

- Brod Pete and his pals are here again to answer life's hardest

- Sa mabuting usapan, ba't di mo na lang daanin... sa ECHOSANALAN!

- IyoTube in Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.

Forza Horizon: Built for the road ahead

You can't beat the classics!

Living it up to its name

Whether if its the legendary Ford GT40 Mk.II that ruled Le Mans in the 1960's or the sensation of 2005, which is the Ford GT, that tries to modernize its superior predecessor, these are the best Fords I have ever driven in Forza Horizon. Sure, they maybe gone a few years ago but their sensations never been forgotten. I can't believe that in the past, Ford made their own Le Mans contender in the 60's to kick Enzo Ferrari's butt and then in the 21st Century, they made a modern take of the GT40 that bring Ford to the world of performance benchmark, gaining the slogan "Built for the Road Ahead" at that time.

I think they looked so fantastic to drive such legends and I think it's even more fabulous to drive this...

A topless Ford GT?!

This is one of the cars you can find on Forza Horizon's December IGN Car Pack. It's the never-before seen Ford GTX1, a roadster version of the Ford GT as seen on the 2005 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Sure it may have the same engine from the hardtop Ford GT but with no roof, this is no ordinary open-top Ford by the looks of it, this is just hotter than a hickory smoke sausage! Woo-hoo!

Ford said that the GTX1 blends Ford design and engineering innovation, one engineer’s personal creativity and commitment, and the quickness and capability of the aftermarket. I kinda understand that but this is even more than that. This is love at a completely new level every time I set foot to the GTX1. The perfect backdrop in Horizon is just a perfect chemistry to show how the GTX1 was made to do and would you look at that, getting lost in Colorado with this kind of car, now what a charm for me.

Let's Do The News! (December 13, 2012)

(cheers and applause)

In the studio...

Hardly believe it....I hardly believe that it would happen...

What?

You were saying that more and more car enthusiasts prefer Corvettes than Vipers?

Seriously, yes. It was like the case that, you know, 2013 GT500 vs Camaro ZL1. Ford said that the Shelby GT500 is the king of V8's because it has the most powerful V8 engine in the world but some say they like the Camaro ZL1 very much than the latest GT500. It seems that more and more prefer the "loser" Chevy than any other American carmaker that targets against Chevy's finest. Now that we're in the case of Vette vs. Viper...look at it...

(awwwwww)

Corvettes are better than Vipers...

Let's see...um...55% prefer Corvettes...45% prefer Vipers....are you sure is that accurate?

Yes. It's a popularity contest. Seems that Corvette has the most supporters than Vipers.

That's great Hammo but you know that next year will be the year the Corvette gets regenerated, right?

Oh...I almost forgot about that memo but still, for me, Vipers are better than Vettes, but not all the time because there are a bountiful of enthusiasts claiming that Corvettes are better than Vipers because of its heritage, its fan feedback, its performance on the road and motorsports, and also, loyalty.

Shall we do the news then?

Right, the news and we'll begin with the Mini Paceman, because now that Mini announced their new John Cooper Works version of the Paceman, which is essentially a 3-door version of the Countryman with a memo of..."Oi, Watch It Spaceman!"

(audience laughing)

What do you mean by that?

Well, it's a JCW version. It's a shouty one like that scene from Doctor Who where Donna Noble says "Oi, Watch It Spaceman!". Wanna know how "Oi, Watch It Spaceman!" that is? Check it out...

2014 Mini John Cooper Works Paceman

(audience laughing)

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/first-photos-of-mini-sportier-paceman.html

OI WATCH IT SPACEMAN!

Oi, watch it Spaceman!

Spaceman? More like BITE ME ALIEN BOY!

(audience laughing)

BITE ME, ALIEN BOY!

Get it? BITE ME, SPACEMAN!!!! (laughing)

(audience laughing continuously...then stopped)

Anyway, enough about that now, what's up with that OI WATCH IT PACEMAN?

Let's see...it will have a turbocharged unit delivers about 215hp (218PS) and 280Nm (207 lb-ft).

Oi!

Oi!

Oi!

Oi!

Stop it!

(audience laughing)

Anyway, after much speculation, BMW unveiled the Gran Coupe version of the BMW M6. Here it is...

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

That's basically a 4-door saloon version of the BMW M6 and it still has the same 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine from the standard model.

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/all-new-bmw-m6-gran-coupe-officially.html

Hey, do you think this is a much worthy opponent to the Audi S7 and the Mercedes CLS63 AMG?

(audience laughing)

What did you say?

Um...I was asking if this is a proper rival to the Audi S7 and the Mercedes CLS63 AMG...

By the looks of it, not now at the moment, and in the meantime, let's advance...

(Homer: Push Notification)

Hey buddy, what's that?

Oh! It's that noise again. It keeps doing it every time. It always sounds like Homer Simpson's in my iPhone...

(audience laughing)

Uh, must be your new app you have a few weeks ago...What was that app again?

Simpsons Tapped Out...

Simpsons Tapped Out! Of course! A Sim City-like game with a Simpsons twist! Good thing I never had that app...

Why Hammo?

Because the push notifications are too noisy for an app that was oh so great!

(audience laughing)

That's two things! Thanks, Hammo! Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the news! Well, it seems that DMC will be making a tuned version of the Lamborghini Aventador just by injecting 200 more HP to to the standard model and...that's not all...look...

DMC Aventador LP900 SV

Scoop: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/12/dmc-applies-j-speedster-looks-on.html

(whoa)

That thing really looks like the one-off Aventador J! I mean look on the outside, that looks nearly identical to the Aventador J! Remarkable!

I know, that is remarkable but I wonder...could it be as remarkable and stunning than this?

Vorsteiner Renazzo V

It's from Vorsteiner. This is their newest entry to the Vorsteiner lineup, it's called the Renazzo V and it is essentially based on the Lamborghini Gallardo but seems that the front view now kinda looks like the Aventador perhaps... That looks yummy enough in the eye of the beholder.

Indeed and before we end this, can I just say one thing to those idiot boys around here...

Take THAT society!!!

(audience laughing)

What is it for?

THAT THAT SOCIETY!!!! TAKE THAT INDIA!!! No Mitsubishi Mirage for Indian market and Toyota's India subsidiary, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said no new models coming in India in the next three years! TAKE THAT SOCIETY!!! Pbbbt!!!!

Oh geez...

And on that bombshell, that's the news!!!

SRT Viper

I've already toying around with the all new 2013 SRT Viper in most games such as Car Town, Forza Motorsport 4, Forza Horizon, and Need For Speed Most Wanted (ahem, the 2012 one, not the 2005 kind of Most Wanted you've remember). I've already told you that new Viper sports a new look, new V10 engine, and a new level of Viper-ness that some Viper loyalists believe that they're better than the undisputed king of American cars, the Chevrolet Corvette. As for me, I was in a bit of a shock that I thought that this new 2013 SRT Viper is a much better alternative to the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. I'll report this kind of story...now...

2013 SRT Viper

Before that, here's a bit of a history lesson about the Viper heritage. You see, the Viper project began in the late 80's when the people behind the legendary Viper wanted to create a modern day version of the legendary Shelby Cobra. When Bob Lutz once ruled Chrysler with an iron fist, he enlisted help to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design to make a modern-day Cobra into fruition and the pre-production mule appeared at the 1989 NAIAS, which such feedback propelled to a wildly successful 1992 debut. The elite few behind this project is called Team Viper. These guys were also responsible for making high-performance versions of other Chrysler models, thus better known as the Street and Racing Technology or SRT for that matter. With several years passed, the Viper recipe really is a poisonous redemption that rules the performance benchmark with an iron fist and right until the death of the Viper in 2010 due to the economic climate.

However, even when the Viper stopped in 2010, when Fiat's Sergio Marchionne took over ever since Fiat took over Chrysler during the financial crisis, he said that the Viper will rise again like a phoenix rose from the ashes and a couple of years later...here it is. The Viper returns with a indefinite vengeance to claim back what it took during its two year hibernation.

2013 SRT Viper interior

Former boss of Dodge, now boss of the SRT brand, Ralph Gilles, told that for its rebirth, it should not be based on anything, has a very rearward cabin and a long hood, and most importantly, a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. In the past, most Vipers don't have a host of safety features such as traction control and stability control, therefore most Vipers are made to be almost challenging for beginners. I wouldn't believe that those who once owned a Viper must have been braved enough to master the venom within. Anyway, now onto this new model, the promises that the SRT CEO told were fulfilled...nearly. It's not based on anything because the body and the platform are all new as well as its components, the interior cabin is very rearward, the hood is very long to accommodate its extra-large 8.4L V10 engine, and also more forgiving to drive and accessible to more people because for the first time in Viper history, the all new SRT Viper now comes with a host of safety equipment, especially traction control and stability control.

Thankfully though, it still retains the proper 6-speed manual transmission but it was developed to survive the massive and unforgiving torque coming from the V10 engine that powers it.

2013 SRT Viper

When I drive one of these in such video games, I was gonna say that the all new SRT Viper is going to be as unforgiving as the past Vipers but for me, it's almost unforgiving as other Vipers of yesteryears. It feels more civilized, it feels like a European exotic in terms of handling. Seems that the Americans finally made something that the Americans would be proud of but one thing though...could the SRT Viper be more enough to rattle down against the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1? General fact though that the all new Viper's 8.4L V10 engine produces much more power than the ZR1 and thanks to the SRT Viper's weight loss diet, it produces a power-to-weight ratio of 4.91, which means that's more power to weight than the ZR1 and also a Lamborghini Aventador, but we're not into that because you know that the V12 Lambo can crush an SRT Viper easily on the straights. Mind you, we did put both the SRT Viper and the Corvette ZR1 in the straights and the results are by such luck.

Instead of putting such differences, the producers told me to take part of a week-long Car Town challenge, which is known to be as Who Rules? In the first installment, there was a comparison between the Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang. I voted Mustang but the results picking up that there are more Camaro supporters than Mustang supporters. Anyway, forget about that and I was on the second chapter and this time it's the war between America's finest sports cars such as the Corvette and the Viper. I was in a bit of discussion about the odds between the Viper and the Vette, then some agreed that the Corvette has more of the heritage than the Viper, but then I protested (like a Doctor Who scene where The Doctor pushed the PROTEST button), saying that Vipers will always be the king of American sports cars because their big, heavy, V10 engine, can't be beaten by such a loser car from a loser American car brand that is Chevrolet. The discussion went on and on and on right until the fateful day that...if I'm honest...I'm with the Viper supporters because I'm doing this for the honor of the new 2013 SRT Viper. As I joined with fellow Viper enthusiasts in a game of Who Rules, it seems that the results shown that there are more and more enthusiasts saying that Corvettes are better than Vipers but it's too early to declare the winner so what I do is to convince more and more Car Town noobs, amateurs, and vets asking that Vipers are better than Vettes. I've tried so hard right until the final day of the Who Rules event, which is now. In the end, it seems that there are more Corvette supporters than Viper supporters, proving that Corvettes are better than Vipers. End of discussion.

Even when the all new SRT Viper suffered a humiliating loss in a game of popularity, it still beats the Corvette in every intangible way. On the city streets, the Viper tries to be more of a show-off and tries to attract more fans than the Corvette. On the road however, it started to become more of a civilized but deadly road warrior rather than being a crazed gladiator. A big powerful engine with a mix of spartan driving manners is what made the all new SRT Viper a different kind of spartan in the west. The base model starts at $97,395 while the GTS model, which is loaded with more gizmos than the standard model, costs $120,395 (both excluding $1,995 destination).

Photo: Chrysler Group LLC.

Forza Horizon: Toyota's present-day crowning glories

The Lexus LFA and the Scion FR-S are what I'm calling it the present-day crowning glories of Toyota Motor Corporation and here in the fantasy world that is Forza Horizon, these new JDM royalties are trying to show what they're capable of...

Walker Lexus Ranger

The thing about the LFA though is that this limited-to-500-units masterpiece feels like a racing car and it sounds like a racing car that's because of Toyota Motor Corporation collaborate with Yamaha to provide some acoustic tuning to the LFA's exhaust so it sounds like a F1 car every time when you're foot is on the pedal. It maybe the first (and last) Japanese grand tourer to have a V10 engine, it maybe rare due to limited production, it maybe carrying a very expensive price tag but this Lexus LFA is a golden opportunity to show off its natural talent in Forza Horizon.

Bringing the sport to Horizon

When the rest of the world called this the TOYOTA 86 or GT86, the North Americans called this the Scion FR-S. Never mind about the analogy because it maybe not as quick as other sports cars but when it comes to corners, this FR-S has good handling. Less grippy, more fun. That's talent to you and me. It behaves and waggles just like its spiritual predecessor, the AE86 Sprinter Trueno. A good story though that my cousin told me that this is the car he should have bought rather than the old white Mazda RX-8 he currently had. I was gonna told that to you but I told my cousin that the FR-S has less of the power than his RX-8 so who cares about it? Even though it's less powerful, the FR-S is the kind of car my cousin would never ever get off from his dreams. It's your fault, cousin. It's your fault. You were given a choice...

The LFA is like a samurai descended from the clouds in the sky while the FR-S is like a ninja swiftly moves in the blink of the eye. A car carrying a huge pricetag and huge power or a car carrying a cheap pricetag, less powerful boxer engine and a natural talent of cornering might sounds ridiculous if you were to choose but the decisions are all up to the drivers. It's the drivers, not the cars, that makes the difference...

The Stig: The Untold Story

The Stig: The Untold Story

THE BOOK THE STIG DOESN'T WANT YOU TO READ!

Fans of Top Gear are always asking the most impossible question of all time. The question that must never been answered, hidden in plain sight. The question we've been running away from all of our lives; WHO IS THE STIG?

The author who is responsible for this book tries to delve readers deep to unmask the truth behind the iconic tamed racing driver and guess what? They've tried... It may sound humorous but this book is all about behind the scenes unraveling the secrets inside The Stig's helmet and why does The Stig never speak or rather an anti-social kind of person.

Kinda hard to think that the author responsible for THE STIG: THE UNTOLD STORY spend several years observing Stig's daily routine from Surrey to another part of Surrey to the very ends of Surrey and then, unexpectedly, to Finland before returning to Surrey. People involved in Top Gear were welcomed in telling about who is The Stig as well as former Top Gear presenters and celebrities who are involved from music, entertainment, arts, literature, sports, anything else. Jeremy, James, and Richard are also present as well but this whole "WHO IS THE STIG" story is becoming too much for this book here.

The Stig The Untold Story maybe a jam-packed must have for every Top Gear fan but this book is all about slowly revealing the truth inside Stig's helmet, one by one by one by one page. If you don't want to know who is The Stig, better not buy this book but if you're brave enough, this book is yours for about 18.99 British Pounds Sterling. Hurry up though, The Stig may end up buying several copies when he sees one and stores these copies on the Lambo...

It's true that THE STIG: THE UNTOLD STORY is the book The Stig doesn't want you to read but this is much more fun to poke fun at him rather than stripping off Stig's clothing...Some say, whenever he sees you reading this book The Stig doesn't want you to read, he'll punch you in the face...Sorry about that...

Order: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Stig-Untold-sensational-secretive/dp/1849905401