The best (and worst) cars of 2012

Me and the 2013 Lexus GS350 F-Sport

2012, it's almost over and the year 2013 is fast approaching. It's going to be a brand new year loaded with brand new cars and some of another firsts I might be expecting soon. Right now, I was on a middle of a crunch right now, deciding to make a list of the best cars and the worst cars launched in 2012. First off, let's begin with the best cars launched in 2012, the cars that surprised me the most in the year 2012. Here's the list that I made of and promise me, I'm not making the ranks because it will be in an unordered list.

THE 12 BEST CARS OF 2012

1) Ferrari F12berlinetta - As a replacement to the aging 599, it is once said that the Ferrari's newest flagship, the F12berlinetta, lapped the Fiorano Test Track faster than the Enzo or the 599 GTO.

2) SRT Viper - The year 2012 sees the return of the venerable American sportscar, the Viper, with its new look, new engine, and everything that makes it new. The sad fact for this newcomer is that it's not quite as deadly as the Corvette C6 ZR1 but who cares? The 2013 SRT Viper will keep on yelling VIPERS RULE by its heart desires.

3) Toyota 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ - Toyobaru joint venture pays off to create a lightweight FR sports coupe that stirs a lot of sensation. Too bad it never won the 2012-2013 Japan COTY because the CX-5 took home the award but still it has a special award from the committee.

4) Mazda CX-5 - This full-SKYACTIV Mazda revolutionized the world with its newly developed SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine that promises better fuel consumption without compromising performance. Such clean diesel technology had propelled the CX-5 to win this year's Japan Car of the Year.

5) Lexus GS - the 2013 Lexus GS marks a brand new chapter in the history of Toyota's luxury brand because this is the first ever model to come with a brand new signature front face known as the "Spindle Grille". It is one of the cars I had fell in love with not only because Lexus has changed but because it tries to behave like a different executive sports saloon targeted for the middle-aged execs.

6) Renault Clio - the fourth generation Clio is probably one of my favorite cars of 2012 not only because it looks much more sexier than its predecessor but feels good in terms of its driving feel. Next year sees the estate version and the Renaultsport version, which I heard it has the 1.6L DIG Turbo engine that came from the Nissan Juke.

7) BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe - A little late for the party though but this four-door saloon version of the current-generation 6-Series tries to be a civilized four-door coupe even though it was labeled as 6-Series.

8) Toyota Crown - If I can ignore the ghastly looking grille and if I can ignore the one-off pink color from its launch party since Christmas Day, then this 14th-generation Crown would be my pick for 2012.

9) BMW M6 F12/F13 - Reason why I've included this latest version of the BMW M6, in coupe and cabriolet trim, is because this new model is getting to win my heart more than the current M5 even though they both have the same 4.4L V8 twin turbo engine that produces more power than the outgoing V10 engine it replaces. It's becoming the most satisfying M6...yet but it needs to be more tamed.

10) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - Even though it's not quite powerful and quicker than the 2013 Shelby GT500, the ZL1 is one of the track-focused muscle cars ever made probably it has this Magnetic Ride Control that came from its big brother, the Corvette ZR1. As an everyday car, the ZL1's suspension really responds from the way you're driving. Needless to say, this serious performance version of the Camaro really got the respect it deserves.

11) Ford Focus ST - A 5-door high performance hot hatchback based on the third-generation Ford Focus is my pick because this car has a starring role in The Sweeney movie, probably. Nah, it's probably because this is the first time Ford made a world-class high performance hot hatch based on the best-selling model from Ford under the One Ford approach. This shouty yellow color really spells TROUBLE when you set foot on the new Focus ST.

12) Peugeot 208 - Not quite a modern day city car for today's economic climate but the new 208 impressed me a lot probably because the only feature I find it very amusing is its available touch screen that behaves like an iPad.

THE 12 WORST CARS OF 2012

1) Kia K9 - Kia may have made its first ever FR executive flagship and available only for selected left-hand drive markets but this new model doesn't say AFFIRMATIVE to me. NO. RIGHT HAND DRIVE MARKETS, SORRY, IT'S NOT FOR YOU. Rear-wheel drive Korean sedans are not made for right hand drive markets. That's the rule.

2) Toyota Porte/Spade - Personally, I don't even like the new model's round shape. I don't even like its Spade twin. I don't even like its behavior. I don't even like it's interior. And I don't even like the way to drive this new model. Only thing I like? The sliding door on one side.

3) Hyundai Santa Fe - Sure, the third-generation Santa Fe (codenamed DM) maybe the best looking Santa Fe ever but to me this car really annoyed me a lot not because of its performance but because of how many smugglers attracted by this. HARI now offered one of these but idiot smugglers want to smuggle one of these because it has a sat-nav system, something that the one HARI offered didn't have. Back off, morons from India and Malaysia. We still don't have any confirmation yet...Fluidic Inokom Santa Fe? Not a chance...You just have to wait very longer...

4) Ford Escape - I was gonna hope that this new third-generation Ford Escape was enough to be the better alternative to the Chevy Equinox probably because its 1.6 EcoBoost engine is enough to be more fuel efficient than the Equinox and because it's loaded with features that the Equinox doesn't have but because of numerous recalls regarding the 1.6L EcoBoost's fire risk, guess this new model's losing the rounds...

5) Cadillac ATS - This is the most confusing Cadillac..ever. I thought this was a replacement to the CTS but some say it's not because it's the baby of the Cadillac sedans. I thought that the CTS was made to compete against the C-Class, A4, and the 3-Series but because the current model is now graduated, what else? Never mind about that but still, the ATS is a loser against the new BMW 3-Series. LOSER!

6) Acura ILX - A Honda Civic with a fancy name and a bigger price tag, who cares about this baby Acura then? Too bad the Buick Verano can easily outsmart the newcomer in terms of price, performance, and features.

7) Fiat 500L - In the past, the L in the classic Fiat 500 model means "lusso" as in "luxury". For this 2013 Fiat 500L, L stands for large because it competes against the Mini Countryman but sadly though, this new 500L doesn't even won my heart even if this model comes with an espresso machine on it. This is one of the most confusing Fiat I have ever seen in my life and who can blame them? The L in the 500L naming...lusso or large? Classic Cinquecento loyalists are taking it cautiously.

8) Cadillac XTS - How could this new flagship model became a front-wheel drive one?

9) Volvo V40 - In the good old days, the V40 name was used as an estate version of the first-generation S40. When Volvo used that name again for its 5-door rival to the Renault Megane and VW Golf, what just happened? Oi! This is not what I meant of...

10) Peugeot 4008/Citroen C4 Aircross - They may look good but they're just a bunch of Mitsubishi RVR's in French outfits.

11) Mitsubishi Outlander - First and foremost, the design of the new Mitsubishi Outlander is probably the worst. What just happened? Oh wait, I said that before but anyway, imagine if your kids saw one of these, they would say "hey look mom! A giant whale!" and then she said "no kids, That's just a car". What could possibly go wrong? He he he....

12) Fiat Panda - James May's perennial favorite is the all new Fiat Panda. Enough said....

...and that does it. These are the best and worst cars launched in fiscal year 2012. Let's hope that 2013 sees a year of bigger opportunities (or doubts) for the motoring industry. Until then...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Forza Horizon: Ford SVT Focus reward

This Focus was born this way...

Ever since I got my hands on the Rally Expansion pack on Forza Horizon, not only I also got five rally cars and the whole Colorado's gone rally-mad, but because of my ownership of Horizon's Season Pass, I also got myself the keys for the Season Pass bonus car for the month of December, a 2003 Ford SVT Focus. Lovely, isn't it and because the Focus was born with rally racing in mind ever since it replaced the legendary Escort Cosworth in the World Rally Championship, this would be worth the effort for players who want to put some rally touches on this SVT model based on the first generation Focus.

Busou Shinki Original Soundtrack

Busou Shinki OST

So, Konami's Busou Shinki toy line has its own anime show starring the Busou Shinki toys themselves set in the not-too-distant future. Ann (Arnval), Aines (Altines), Lene (Altlene), and Straf just wanna have fun on this futuristic slice-of-life battle anime intended to capture the hearts of Busou Shinki collectors across Japan but sadly, it's not quite enough to be seduced to this anime series.

This original soundtrack from the Busou Shinki anime series has arrived for those who are enjoying to those BGMs heard on the series. Most of these tracks featured here were composed by Tetsuro Oda and all of these 37 tracks offered on the Busou Shinki OST might well be enough to relieve the music heard from all 12 episodes of this Autumn 2012 anime series aired on TBS and based on Konami's Busou Shinki toy range.

If you have one of these, let us know in the comments below...

TRACK LIST:

01 神姫のテーマ 1:40
02 バトル 2:19
03 朝 1:39
04 Girls 2:13
05 お出かけ 1:51
06 行動開始! 1:37
07 事件発生 2:02
08 絶体絶命 2:02
09 スピードバトル 2:13
10 逃亡 1:57
11 大丈夫? 2:03
12 Pretty Theme 0:30
13 ドレスアップ 1:25
14 Pretty Walking 1:32
15 作戦開始 1:24
16 潜入 1:21
17 対峙 2:00
18 決断 2:03
19 バトル開始 2:05
20 Battle Princess 2:06
21 幸せな時間 1:51
22 友情 1:27
23 絆 2:03
24 朝II 1:24
25 汗(-_-;) 1:34
26 お出かけII 1:45
27 Tropical 1:29
28 夜想曲 1:33
29 小さな恋 1:40
30 Christmas 1:21
31 Serious Theme 0:32
32 選手入場 1:11
33 パワーバトル 2:17
34 激闘 2:28
35 スピードバトルII 2:14
36 ハッピーエンド 1:32
37 絆II 1:46

Order at: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/s/detailview.html?KEY=PCCG-1309

Here I am, Here we are

Here I am, Here we are /
Hayate Ayasaki and Nagi Sanzenin
starring Ryoko Shiraishi and Rie Kugimiya

Whoa, after 12 weeks of spending the night with Hayate Ayasaki, Nagi Sanzenin, and the gang especially that new addition to the story, Ruri Tsugumi, I was gonna say that the all new Hayate no Gotoku Can't Take My Eyes of You really is a bombshell you can call it a day. To wrap it up after 12 episodes of wibbly wobbly madness, there's this brand new single from our main stars of the show: Hayate and Nagi. Titled Here I am, Here we are, this maxi single is all about Hayate and Nagi, being together in amidst of life's problematic escapades that made us scrambled like a scrambled egg. And who can blame them? This maxi single is a way to say thanks for watching Hayate no Gotoku Can't Take My Eyes of You. Now that's what I called a send-off.

TRACK LIST:

01.Here I am, Here we are

02. アスタリスク

03. Here I am, Here we are（Instrumental）

04. アスタリスク（Instrumental）

Buy it at: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=GNCA-255

Let's Do The News! (December 27, 2012)

JM: Let's Do The News!

JC: Yeah, do the news and about last night, how was your moment with souffle girl?

JM: Morons, don't refer to souffle girl anymore. Refer this brand new partner on Doctor Who, as Series 7 Part 2 commences this Spring 2013 on BBC, as Clara Oswald.

RH: Yeah, right. Clara Oswald, the woman twice dead. I was gonna think this souffle girl was actually just like former Doctor Who companion Rory.

JM: What's the point about it?

RH: Look at Rory, he died several times; from an acid, a Silurian leader, the curse of the Black Spot, when House took control of the TARDIS, he's like "Oh My God! You killed Kenny! You bastard!"

(audience laughing)

JM: So, this new partner played by Jenna Louise Coleman, who is Clara Oswald, that really suits her title. "The Woman Twice Dead". I mean look...She was Oswin Oswald when she died and turned into a Dalek and then on that Christmas Special titled The Snowmen, who was Clara Oswin Oswald on Victorian England, she died right after the moment The Doctor stopped the icy menace lead by Dr. Simeon (played by guest start Richard E. Grant).

RH: Our thoughts exactly. We've been moved on from the Bad Wolf, who is Rose, then The Girl Who Ran, who is Martha, then The Most Important Woman in the Universe, who is Donna, then The Girl Who Waited, who is Amelia Pond, and now this. Very sorry if we ate the whole bowl of you delicious chocolate souffle you made last night.

(audience laughing)

JM: Oh forget the souffle, hamster, it seems Clara Oswald's our problem now. Anyway, any news?

JC: Right, now do you remember the 14th Generation Crown that we tackled since Christmas Day? I just remember something that during the launching party, there's something unusual about this new Crown Athlete I just saw. There's that color I find it too strange for a car that feels like it was showered with the Waters of Mars...

(audience laughing)

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

RH: Oh dear Lord Royal Highness! It is ghastly...in pink!

JC: Yeah, I know. A pink colored all new Crown Athlete. Some say it's a one-off made for the Japanese commercial starring Jean Reno and Takeshi Beat. Now when I saw this latest ad for the 2013 Toyota Crown, that pink-colored Crown was the motif based on Doraemon's pink door that took places.

JM: Actually, that's a Dokodemo door. Like the TARDIS except it's not a box. It's just a pink door that can travel places.

JC: I really wish I want to have that one because this Dokodemo door beats the TARDIS by a long shot, wonder we're making a joke between Doraemon's Dokodemo door versus The Doctor's TARDIS.

(audience laughing)

JM: Sounds good to me. Doraemon vs. The Doctor, who can get through the Top Gear Studio faster than you can say GERONIMO?

(audience laughing)

RH: I'd say it's the Dokodemo door from Doraemon's! The Doctor's TARDIS takes a long amount of time to have him transported through our set!

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, enough on that and let's move on. Because here on January's Tokyo Auto Salon, we've just picked up that Honda's warming up with series of tuned models for the big show. Honda has the list and these are; N-ONE Modulo Style, S2000 Modulo Climax, STEPWGN Modulo Style, N BOX Modulo X, Mugen N-ONE, Mugen N-ONE Premium, VAMOS CANPACHI, SHINDEN bike, and many others.

RH: Wow, that's a lot for Honda and oh, word from Mazda is that they're also prepping up for that show as well with customized versions of the all new 2013 Atenza, 2013 CX-5, and the Japanese carmaker will feature a LMP racer powered by a SKYACTIV-D engine made specifically for Le Mans racing!

2013 Mazda Atenza Wagon

2013 Mazda Atenza Sedan

2013 Mazda CX-5

MAZDA LE MANS LMP2 SKYACTIV-D RACING

JC: Those Kodo-fied versions of those Mazdas really bothered me and even that they are customized for the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon, they still ain't even bothered. One thing I'm noticing it is Mazda's Le Mans racer which was powered by SKYACTIV-D racing engine. Something tells me that if Mazda's going to make a Atenza Touring Car with that kind of engine, I think it would be brilliant because Mazda's have the racing pedigree since the 787B.

RH: Yeah, truth be told but not all the time.

(audience laughing)

2013 Suzuki Wagon R

JM: Suzuki's brand new Wagon R as well as its Mazda Flair siblings gained a cheaper entry-level version fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission. It's a first time they've done it on that kind and I mean hey, it still comes with the same fuel efficient Suzuki Green Technology provided by ECO-COOL and ENE-CHARGE but since this comes with a 5-speed MT, fuel economy is 25.6kmpl based on JC08 standards.

JC: Yawn....I'm still ain't bovvered...

(audience laughing)

JM: Okay, how about this? Toyota Premio and Allion, currently on their second generation, has been updated for the 2013 model year. Fuel economy for 1.5L models have been improved to 18.2km/L thanks to reduced friction and improved combustion efficiency.

JC: Still ain't bovvered...

(audience laughing)

JM: Okay, I give up...

JM: I know. Still ain't bovvered and on that bombshell, that's the news. 38th MMFF AWARDS NIGHT, it's tonight at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila this 6:00 PM Philippines Standard Time.

Lincoln MKZ Full Modelchange

Over the years, Lincoln is Ford's luxury marque that sometimes didn't go quite well against its rivals from Europe and Asia. Even General Motors' own Cadillac brand trounced this brand quite easily because they think they are better than them. Thanks to such downturn, it seems that the fate of the Lincoln brand is pretty much on the line but in order prove that Lincoln still have to get up from its knees and rise above the odds, Ford decided to give Lincoln life anew as Lincoln Motor Company. A new company name that was been sacred from the 1950's promises that it will have its own product development team, designers and salespeople. For Chapter 1 of the new Lincoln Motor Company, here's this opening salvo...

2013 Lincoln MKZ

It's the second generation Lincoln MKZ and despite started out in life as a Ford Fusion just like its previous incarnation, it tries to shave off its image as a Ford Fusion with a fancy name and bigger price tag because everything you'll see on the all new MKZ is far more different from the all-new Ford Fusion as well as the 3.7L Duratec V6 engine, unique to the new MKZ.

Apart from its all-original Lincoln look that proves that they're not just a bunch of Ford cars with posh names and posh pricetag, this new model tries to have that new feeling, a feeling that every time you're driving this, it gives you some sort of an esperanza feeling, something that feels like you're listening to the song Esperanza. He he he...Esperanza...I'm a 90's kid, I always remember that show...Esperanza...

Anyway, while backing off to this whole Esperanza analogy, there are some engine choices offered on the new MKZ. There's a turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost engine derived from the all new Ford Fusion, a 2.0L Hybrid variant that gets me up to 19.2kmpl as rated by EPA, and a 3.7L Duratec V6 engine, which I said it is unique to the new MKZ. With a recommended Michelin tire (see: Michelin Pilot Super Sport), it promises stopping distance from 100kph to a dead stop of 06 feet to stop from 160 mph, 0.91 g on the skidpad and a 26.5-second time in our figure eight. Some say that such tires can stop better and handle better than our favorite Ford muscle car, the Mustang.

2013 Lincoln MKZ interior

I once read an article from Motor Trend and they said that if they fit the new MKZ with conventional tires (see: Michelin Primacy MXM4), this car would have been more quieter and conventional because when they test it with the Super Sports tires, here comes an excessive tire noise which is bad for the passengers, bad for the lazy boys, bad for your boss, and worst of all...bad for your Sir Chief. He he he...sorry about the Sir Chief bit.

One of the craziest things about this new model is that there is no gear lever. That's right, Lincoln tries to get mad with the styling details and made some very complicating changes to the typical car interior, knowing where to start an engine, where to set to drive, where to change the volume of the radio, air condition, so on, so forth. In here, you have to rub those silver linings from left to right to adjust the aircon, the volume, and others and to set the car to drive, because this car has no lever to engage it, push the D button on the dashboard. This is a dashboard confessional if you know what I mean....he he he....

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Price? Well, you have to be an Aga Saga or a posh person to have one of these because it starts at $35,925 for both the 2.0L model and the hybrid model and $37,155 for the V6 model, $37,815 for the 2.0L 4WD model, and $39,045 for the V6 4WD model. That seems posh for a car that started out in life as a Ford Fusion but as an owners car, you'll gonna have to spend more for the necessary tires and Lincoln genuine accessories to balance it out. There's nothing wrong when it comes of driving this but if there's something wrong with it, that's your responsibility, not the car. Good bye and Good Luck.

Available Colors: Smoked Quartz, Ingot Silver, Ruby Red, Ice Storm, Ginger Ale, Crystal Champagne, Tuxedo Black, Bordeaux Reserve, and White Platinum.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Mitsubishi adds Clean Diesel for the Delica D:5

Mitsubishi Delica D:5

There are some rumors that a diesel version of Mitsubishi's Delica D:5 minivan may come in the future and as it turns out this vision became a reality because Mitsubishi Motors Corporation just announced that they will add a Clean Diesel version of the Mitsubishi Delica D:5, which will hit showrooms in January 11, 2013 across Japan.

4N14 Engine

What to expect is Mitsubishi's brand new 2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine (4N14) that produces 148PS of power and 360Nm of torque. Mitsubishi claims that this new 4N14 diesel engine is reliable at low revs and smooth acceleration until high revs. With reduced pressure and temperature in the cylinder, it achieves a low compression ratio of 14.9. Fuel economy? Let's have a look...the Mitsubishi Delica D:5 with Clean Diesel engine has a fuel consumption of 13.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards.

Prices start at 3,419,000 Yen for the 2.2 D Power Package up to 3,934,000 Yen for the 2.2 D Premium.

Scoop: http://www.carview.co.jp/news/1/178464/

Christmas Who!!!

Best Christmas ever...

Christmas Day turned into Christmas Who and when I said Who, I mean of course BBC America did aired this year's Christmas Special of Doctor Who titled The Snowmen.

Well, I just watched the whole episode and the ending did pack a huge twist that I will never ever forget. That Clara person...Clara Oswin Oswald? The soufflé girl? Yes. My thoughts exactly. She died...twice! Once when she became a Dalek and now in Victorian London after The Doctor stopped the icy menace. Kinda salty but it's a huge sacrifice.

It's a bit of a twist but...yes we might be able to see soufflé girl...yet again. Spring 2013, see you there for the second half of Season 7.

Just before that, I once watched a marathon of K9 episodes on SyFy and would you look at that, the new K9 is very loyal to his "young master".

Never mind about that but still, BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

Forza Horizon announces January Recaro Car Pack

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package on Forza Horizon

Forza Horizon's ringing the new year with a big bang with the January Recaro Car Pack, which will be expecting six new cars coming your way at the Horizon Festival. Cars included on this pack are;

1983 GMC Vandura G-1500
1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R
2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR
2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2012 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition
2012 Lotus Exige S

This pack costs 400MSP but Season Pass owners get it free as well as the bonus car for the month of January; the Pagani Zonda Cinque.

URL: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/January_Recaro_Car_Pack?fwlhd=1

I almost forgot. Also this January sees a free Honda Challenge Car Pack featuring three Hondas to choose from such as the 2013 Honda Civic Si Coupe, HPD Rally Fit, and the 1986 Honda Civic Si. There's going to be a challenge made specific for the 2013 Honda Civic Si Coupe. Stay tuned for more...

URL: http://forzamotorsport.net/en-US/news/2013_Civic_Si_Challenge

Let's Do The News! - Christmas Day! (December 25, 2012)

(cheers and applause)

JM: Now we will do the news and as for the 2013 Toyota Crown lineup featured on this nativity moment, Toyota says that they will provide accessories and body kits for this 14th Generation model Crown.

2013 Toyota Crown Royal

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

If accessories you're after, both the Athlete and the Crown got you covered because you can personalize it with some optional side garnish, side protection mole, rear bumper garnish, rear spoiler, rear license garnish, and LED foglamps. If you want to make it sporty, don't worry because...

2013 Toyota Crown Royal

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

2013 Toyota Crown Royal

...an available MODELLISTA aero kit package or a TRD Sportivo body kit package comes serve and these body kits were sure enough to add some glitz and glamour to the 2013 Toyota Crown. Sadly though, even with such body kits offered by Toyota, I still don't like its schnoz anyway, feels like it's been splashed by the waters of Mars.

(audience laughing)

JM: Hopefully, I don't wanna be bitten by one of these because they look like...aliens.

(audience laughing)

JC: Now, as you can see, because it's Christmas Day, our studio's been bombarded with tons of Christmas gifts, although when I said Christmas gifts, I mean of course they're landfill to us.

RH: Okay pal, what do you got from them this time?

JC: Let's see..um...there's this! It's a new figure from Megahouse's Brilliant Stage figure range. This one's modeled after Chihaya Kisaragi from THE IDOLM@STER anime series. It came out last month and costs about 8,190 Yen. Now, I maybe a huge iM@S fan but this figure is utterly defeating me with such grace.

JM: I must say that if you pair this thing up with a Haruka Amami figure that we saw a couple of months ago, I think they look really good in pairs. I mean hey, its Haruka and Chihaya, that's for sure.

JC: Great. Next up from Santa's sack (almost) was this...

(whoa)

RH: Hey old man, what's that?

JC: This would be a must-have for anyone who likes a figure of a female character in a skin-tight one-piece swimsuit.

JM: Is that...Madoka Kyono from Lagrange?

JC: Indeed she is. One thing I only like most about this BEACH QUEENS Madoka Kyono figure is the rear view because for me...I kinda didn't like her facial expression.

RH: WHAT?!

(audience laughing)

JC: Turns out this is one of the rubbish Christmas present I got! Can't believe how they done with that, perhaps they should have made it more slender and more attractive. This one doesn't so I guess this is one hell of a SERIOUSLY UNCOOL figure for those who have cataracts.

(audience laughing)

RH: So, you didn't like it?

JC: I really DO hate it!

(audience laughing)

JC: Ugh...if only I could give it to someone who didn't care about how figures look but well I might as well put it in the table unless someone noticed it...

(audience laughing)

JM: Ooohh! Look what I got!

RH: What is it?

JM: It's a book!

RH: Oh wait! I know what that is, it's a sci-fi book written by some queer guy...

(audience laughing)

JM: Hush! This is...

JC: He's right, it's a book written by some queer...What was his name again?

JM: Barrowman...John Barrowman.

JC: Yep, John Barrowman. That book you have is the book I've tackled before. It's TORCHWOOD! Exodus Code! Glad I didn't read that book about earthquakes, lethal girls, and how the last two surviving Torchwood operatives, which was Captain Jack and Gwen Cooper, are stopping this mass hysteria.

JM: But...it's a great book. Come on, read it and you'll see...

JC: Don't care. I AIN'T BOVVERED!!!

RH: Me too! I AIN'T BOVVERED!!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, instead of showing some rubbish Christmas presents, how about doing something instead.

RH: Yeah, here's a thing. Which female personality would you like to be on the mistletoe? Come on. Think of someone. Think of someone you liked most of the time! Mine was...Billie Piper.

JC: Karen Gillan

JM: Catherine Tate

JC: CATHERINE TATE?!

(audience laughing)

JC: No...no...no...Catherine Tate's a rubbish name.

JM: But...but...I like Catherine Tate. I like her a lot...

JC: Oh come on...Catherine Tate's just a middle-aged ginger and it's gross if you're hanging out with her...

(audience laughing)

RH: Yeah, who would want to hang out with some aged ginger lady? (laughing)

JM: Maybe this Christmas activity didn't worked out as well. Let's try another one, shall we?

JC: No.

JM: But...why?

JC: Because, we had ruined the whole Christmas Day with our rubbishness...

(audience laughing)

RH: He's right. If you make a move, you're making it worse.

JC: You know what we do?

RH: What?

JC: Let's prep up the souffle because it's Christmas Day and we're expecting a K9 marathon on SyFy and the premiere of Doctor Who 2012 Christmas Special, titled The Snowmen.

RH: Souffle girl! Here we come!

(audience laughing)

JC: That's right. Souffle girl Jenna Louise Coleman is all fired up for being Clara, who is The Doctor's brand new partner and oh, expect kissing scenes on these two too...

(audience laughing)

JC: ...and on that bombshell, MERRY CHRISTMAS and that's the news!

14th Generation Toyota Crown (S210)

Ah, Christmas Day 2012. It's the time everyone's thrilled to open their presents that came from Santa Claus. It's the time the whole family gathered for some nativity cheers. And it's the time for all things fun. As for Toyota Motor Corporation though, they do have their own Christmas spirit so for this year's Christmas Day, Toyota has a little present to share with all. So, what could it be?

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

2013 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon

Hmph...it's a Toyota Crown but this looks a lot different from what it used to be because what I'm looking up here is the all-new, 14th generation Toyota Crown. 14th generation. For almost six decades, the Toyota Crown bloodline continues to flow through the rich history of Japanese automotive and this was Japan's oldest nameplate as of now. The Crown nameplate may be almost six decades old but Toyota never stops regenerating the Crown into something different. Past to present, the Crown nameplate is always a wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey name that will keep on going 'till it reaches its prime.

2013 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete

Other than this ghastly looking nose that looks like it was designed by aliens or people who accidentally took a bath with some water that comes from Mars (waters of Mars, that is), waiting for them to bite its prey every time when he/she said "bite me alien boy!", what I can see in the back were the rear lamps that look like it came from the current Toyota Camry, the front lamps made for night time driving, a roof for when it rains, and sports tires for something else.

Now if you remember back in the year 2008, I checked out the previous generation Crown spawned into three different types; the Athlete that provides the good expression of an executive sport sedan, the Royal that makes it a fit for government officials, and the Hybrid for opulent green. This new, 14th generation, Crown though, it's back from square one because only the Athlete and the Royal Saloon are offered and that's not all, both of them are getting hybrid variants as well.

Speaking of hybrid models, those hybrid models of the Athlete and Royal series do come with Toyota's newly developed 2AR-FSE 2.5L direct-injected engine together with Toyota Hybrid System II. With the combination of both the new 2AR-FSE engine and the 105kW electric motor, it develops about 220PS of combined power while developing a class-leading fuel economy of 23.2km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards. That was about twice as fuel efficient than the previous model and importantly twice as fuel efficient than the Nissan Fuga Hybrid. Well, that summarizes it but for petrol variants; all models do come with a 4GR-FSE 2.5L V6 engine mated with a 6-speed automatic, and available exclusively in the 2013 Crown Athlete is the 3.5L V6 2GR-FSE engine mated with an oversized 8-speed automatic transmission. Wait a minute...8 gears? On a Crown Athlete with a 3.5L V6 engine from the Lexus GS? That's phony baloney for me and I think such a car like this won't work in a 180kph speedo country.

Toyota said that the suspension on the new Crown is now more mature than its predecessors but to me, it feels a bit more like the Lexus GS. The Crown Athlete though is one of my picks because not only it handles like a European sports saloon, it acts like it too. It's closer than what I think at the blink of my eye. Sadly though, because of all of its numerous enhancements to its handling capabilities, I think it's becoming too numb and too light and Toyota should know better than that.

2013 Toyota Crown Athlete interior

2013 Toyota Crown Royal Saloon interior

Frankly, this new model's not half bad by the looks of it but in terms of feel, the new Crown tries to be a well-civilized legend in its own right and it can be an excellent livery vehicle because if business owners take advantage of this new model, it could work as a taxi or as a police car in Japan. As an owner's car, it would be shifted to a completely different angle because when you drive one, people think you're just a silly kind of person who owns a silly kind of executive sports saloon.

Despite all this, the Crown truly is Toyota's legend in its own right and for me, I'm not quite ready yet to accept the Crown's regenerated look. It needs to be more tamed, more refined, and its manners need to be, well, gentlemanly.

CROWN ATHLETE:

Available Colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Precious Silver, Black, Precious Black Pearl, and Dark Red Mica Metallic.

Price List:

2.5 - 3,570,000 Yen
2.5 S - 4,130,000 Yen
2.5 G - 4,900,000 Yen
2.5 i-Four - 3,800,000 Yen
2.5 S i-Four - 4,360,000 Yen
2.5 G i-Four - 5,130,000 Yen
3.5 S - 4,970,000 Yen
3.5 G - 5,750,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid - 4,100,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid S - 4,690,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid G - 5,430,000 Yen

CROWN ROYAL SALOON:

Available Colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Precious Silver, Black, Dark Blue Mica, and Dark Red Mica Metallic.

Price List:
2.5 Royal - 3,530,000 Yen
2.5 Royal Saloon - 4,090,000 Yen
2.5 Royal Saloon G - 4,820,000 Yen
2.5 Royal i-Four - 3,800,000 Yen
2.5 Royal Saloon i-Four - 4,360,000 Yen
2.5 Royal Saloon G i-Four - 5,050,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid Royal - 4,100,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid Royal Saloon - 4,690,000 Yen
2.5 Hybrid Royal Saloon G - 5,360,000 Yen

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Torchwood: Exodus Code

Torchwood: Exodus Code

It seems that the whole Torchwood legacy lives on in forms of novelization but despite this kind of shift, fans of the venerable Doctor Who spin-off about a secret organization investigating alien activities at the expensive of a Torchwood operative's life. That show appeared on BBC since 2006, with a second chapter unfold in 2008, 5-part Children of Earth mini-series in 2009, and then USA's Starz aired the Miracle Day arc in 2011 because the American Whovians think that Torchwood is cool because it's like CSI and The X Files combined.

This is the latest Torchwood novel and at last, actor John Barrowman and his sister Carole managed to tame this latest Torchwood mission (via novelization) with some thrills about earthquakes and a mass hysteria happening to the world's female population. In Exodus Code, the world's been battered down by super strong earthquakes and then the world's female population gone mass hysteria, resulting to a twitter trending topic worldwide; #realfemmefatales. The key to salvation against this impending doom caused by these series of unfortunate events is a secret organization known as Torchwood but sadly, there isn't enough Torchwood left because the last two surviving members; Gwen Cooper who was investigating an alien activity somewhere in Cardiff, and Captain Jack Harkness, who was in Peru in search for the source of this mass hysteria.

To save the world, Gwen has to warn Jack about this but she became a victim to this mass hysteria, now what twist involved in this novel here. It seems that the Exodus Code novel really does pack twisted plots that really made readers sweating with tense. If I read one of these, all those thick plots delving somewhere in this book really gave me the anxiety. I may never know what comes next because by the next time I've read a suprisingly mental plot, it really gives me a painful aftertaste. So painful, I can't even describe a word about this whole Exodus Code story but still this is a good book for the Whovians who became fans of Torchwood. I just can't find any book that is as scary and as tense as this.

Order at: http://www.bbcshop.com/science-fiction/torchwood-exodus-code-hardback/invt/9781846079078/