Forza Motorsport 4: Collection of Lancias

Now let's just stop right about now and talk about Lancia because for many years, Lancia produced some of the most historic cars ever made. Despite the few problems with the rust three decades ago, Top Gear named Lancia as the greatest carmaker in the world. Such lunacy did produce results for Lancia like for instance; they're the first to sell a car with the monococque body, first to offer a five-speed gearbox, first to sell a car with supercharging and turbocharging on the same engine, first to sell a road car with a V6 engine, and first to sell a car with an electric boot spoiler. Just because most Lancias are unreliable doesn't mean that they're not great and that's an actual fact, even the tattiest of the Lancias are tougher than what you might think.Well, you get the idea but here on Forza Motorsport 4; three of the greatest Lancias come together such as..

the Stratos,

Stratos on a foursome

the 037,

Is this the car that defeated the mighty Audi Quattro?

and the Delta Integrale.

Only Lancia...

I was going to say all about those three but instead, I'd decided to unleash my Stigness and put those three round the Top Gear Test Track.



So, based on the result, I had the time and the Stratos did it in 1:30.557 while the 037 did it in 1:31.309 and the Delta Intregale did it in 1:30.232 so I think it's a progress of how did they made Lancia classics great. But still, I like the Stratos because that exhaust note sounds as crispy as eating a well-done fried chicken. Mmmm, yummy. However, while the Stratos produces the crispiest exhaust note, the Delta Integrale is definitely the best Lancia ever made because this was served as the last hurrah for the glorious carmaker and it won the World Rally Championship, six times on the trot! It may not be the prettiest looking car to drive but oh my stars, this one's the best. Seems that most car enthusiasts really prefer the Lancias of the past rather than the present because present Lancias are turning into Chrysler clones and that's not good.

Doctor Who S07E09

Hide

Not even a dripple of my ice cream I ate as I watched through tonight's Doctor Who Series 7 episode titled Hide because even though this is much more scary than the scary Doctor Who episodes from the past, this is really "top-notch". Get it? Top notch!

Apart from the special guest appearance by Jessica Raine from Call The Midwife, or that creepy creature, or the return of The Doctor's Spacesuit (the one predecessor David Tennant wore), or the storyline, this is brilliant. I love this episode. It's got all the thrills but has the same Who epic coolness.

Next week, let's take a journey to the center of the TARDIS! In the meantime, here's the BTS from this week's episode...

If you can't see, click here

Let's Do The News! (April 20, 2013)

River's Diary

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

Name of Doctor Who Season 7 finale revealed!

The title of the season 7 finale of BBC Doctor Who was finally revealed to the public and...you won't going to like this...



...it's titled THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR, and that season finale says it all. "His Secret Revealed". Oh my stars. This season finale will take place next month and on that episode, Alex Kingston returns, reprising her River Song role and guess what? Do you think it's going to be a first encounter between Clara and River? Spoilers!

If you recall the Season 6 finale titled "The Wedding of River Song", there's something about "The Impossible Question" that will threaten The Doctor's life. It's the question that must never been answered. Hidden in plain sight, the question he's been running away from all of his life. Do you think The Impossible Question has to do about...THE NAME OF THE DOCTOR?! Find out soon when we get there but be warned...this could trigger some serious chain reaction from the fans.

Lamborghini planning final Gallardo special

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Performante

The Lamborghini Gallardo is reaching the end of its lifespan and before this car is heading to car heaven, Lamborghini mulls a final Gallardo featuring a stripped-out interior, rear-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual. Of course, this would be the last model to be fitted with this gearbox. Very sad though because in truth, most Lambos with flappy paddles outsells the manual Lambos.

MG3 coming to UK!

2014 MG3

Revealed at this year's Shanghai Motor Show, MG Motor announced that the MG3 compact car is coming to the UK in the second-half of 2013 and it's going to be a promising rival to the Vauxhall Adam. Can it? Anyway, designed and built from UK, the new MG3 was heavily inspired from the MG ZERO concept car and it comes with the 105PS version of the VTi-TECH petrol engine mated with a 5-speed manual.

Info: http://mg.co.uk/news/2013/04/20/-european-mg3-unveiled-at-shanghai-motor-show/

2014 Skoda Superb minor change

For 2014, the second-generation Skoda Superb flagship liftback and wagon models have been given a minor change inside and out. To be launched in European markets this Summer, the 2014 Superb range feautres a redesigned exterior which seems to be obvious, a reworked interior that looks a bit the same, fuel-efficient engines, high-tech gizmos, and a new Automatic Parking Assistant now available in both the hatchback and the combi.

Info: http://www.netcarshow.com/skoda/2014-superb/

50th Anniversary Special Aventador

Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50 Anniversario

Revealed at this year's Shanghai Motor Show, this is another one of Lamborghini's 50th anniversary present since the threesome Veneno special. The special Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario kinda more like an Aventador J now with the roof on it but get this; the 6.5L V12 engine now has an additional 20PS of power, so it's powerful than the standard Aventador LP700-4. And, it's limited to 100 units, each of which will come with a Forged Composite badge featuring the "50°" logo and a serial number.

Story: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/04/meet-new-lamborghini-aventador-lp-720-4.html

Boston bombing suspect arrested

Justice is served for those affected from the Boston Marathon bombings as authorities arrested a suspect named Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (age 19) in Watertown. He and another suspect responsible for the bombing engaged in a gunfight against the cops in a Boston suburb. That other suspect was killed on the shootout earlier. Cops made a door-to-door search all over the Boston suburb until some say that Tsarnaev was hiding in a boat placed in a house's backyard. "We Got Him!": That's what the cops say when they apprehended the suspect and justice is served.

"CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won,"

Story: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17823265-we-got-him-boston-bombing-suspect-captured-alive?lite

Remembering Sarah Jane - Two Years On...

Sarah Jane Smith and K-9

In case you missed it, April 19, 2013 marks the 2nd death anniversary of Elisabeth Sladen, a veteran actress who played Doctor Who companion, Sarah Jane Smith from the past, and then made a comeback on Series 2 and 4 of BBC's Doctor Who between 2006 and 2008, and then star of a kid-friendly spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures up to her death in April 19, 2011 after her loss against pancreatic cancer at the age of 65.

Right before she died, she once wrote a memoir of her life. It's an autobiography of her tracing back from her first appearance as Sarah Jane Smith on the 1973 Doctor Who story "The Time Warrior". She even explains about her time with Jon Pertwee (3rd Doctor) and Tom Baker (4th Doctor) as well as life outside Who. Oh, and for the record, she once appeared Coronation Street, Z-Cars and Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em, among many others where she appeared on.

See: Life Outside The TARDIS: Elisabeth Sladen (BBC America)

While we're too short for words, she's still the one who will be missed by millions, even the kids who became part of her journey from Doctor Who to Sarah Jane Adventures. If you had a DVD of the final season of The Sarah Jane Adventures, you'll see that there was this special feature called Goodbye, Bannerman Road. It's about a tribute to Sarah Jane Smith according to people involved, even 11th Doctor Matt Smith is well qualified to explain why Sarah Jane is the ultimate Doctor Who companion of all time. Yes, he once made an appearance in the 4th season of Sarah Jane, which also features Katy Manning who was also one of the classic Who companions, Jo Grant. Anyone saw that?

Anyway, it's been two years when Elisabeth Sladen died but no matter the outcome, there's still more who are loyal to her, even the Whovians new and old alike. I'm so glad to have a well-respected actress who marks a significant milestone in Who history and hey, since it's the 50th Anniversary of Who, there's still more to like about Sarah Jane.

"Mahaba-habang inuman..."

On the April 19, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Crying at the Emergency gags...

- On our top story; our newscaster explains something something...

- Is he proven a criminal? Let that explain to the kidnapped witness...

- This guy loves jailtime so much, he wants to stay in jail!

- Tata Lino is back again for more quotes to live by...

- Bubble Gang does San Miguel Light by spoofing this commercial as SAN PIGIL LIGHT! Mahaba-habang inuman...

- Getting to know about the poorest barangay...in denial...

- A meeting at the conference room about image changing to society...

- Michael V examines the myths of manlihood's love for sports.

- Guess these two are dreaming about themselves...or are they?

- IyoTube

Threats from North Korea - A Week in Review (April 20, 2013)

April 15, 2013:

- The London School of Economics criticized the BBC for arranging an academic trip to North Korea to secretly film a documentary. They criticized this broadcaster for putting them at risk while failed to provide enough info to the students in advance.

- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets up with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tokyo to reaffirm alliances as North Korea's belicose threats continues.

- North Korea celebrates 101st birthday of the nation's founder, Kim Il-Sung. Current president, Kim Jong-Un, visited the Kumsusan Memorial Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang to pay tribute to his grandfather.

April 16, 2013:

- Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said that Japan will not be fooled by North Korea's "ultimatum" that it will threaten to start the war at any time.

- North Korea made new threats after a mass protest against North Korea somewhere in Seoul in Monday, demanding that the North must stop its provocative actions, including apparent preparations for a missile launch.

April 17, 2013:

- North Korea rejects US call for dialogue based on taking steps toward denuclearization. It was announced by the state-run media that the US Secretary of State John Kerry was arrogant and hostile according to North Korea's foreign ministry.

- Meanwhile, the Panmunjom village is remained calm and it continues to let foreigners in via tours.

April 18, 2013:

- North Korea demanded that the retraction of UN Security Council resolutions against it as a condition for returning to dialogue with the international community. The North's National Defense Commision criticized as an unacceptable proposal made by the US and South Korea.

- Japan's missile destruction order against oncoming NoKor missiles is here to stay until July.

April 19, 2013:

- North Korea sent high-ranking military delegation, led by Vice Minister of People's Armed Forces Kang Pyo Yong, to Africa, contradicting its readiness despite the rising tension in East Asia.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (April 20, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2012 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

When BMW decided to join the eco car game, they conceptualize what would their green car be for the German carmaker. Sure, hybrids can be somewhat boring to drive but when this concept machine showed up at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is the kind of machine that changed its course. The Vision EfficientDynamics promises the same fun-to-drive value of a BMW while staying true to its eco-car genes. What's so cool about this machine is that it even has a starring role in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol in 2011. As a PHV, the Vision Efficient Dynamics is powered by a three-cylinder diesel engine combined with two electric motors. When all three kicked in, it churns out 356HP of power and 590lb-ft of torque while delivering CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

2012 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

1969 Shelby GT500

For 1969, the Shelby GT500 received some minor cosmetic changes and a change in length by about 4 inches. Some leftover 1969 models of the Shelby GT500 (and its GT350 stablemate) were reissued with 1970 VINs under the supervision of the FBI and for 1970, they even come with a front chin spoiler and two black hood stripes. There are a few 1971 and 1972 models were made by request of some Belgian dealer and marketed as "Shelby Europa" for the European market.

1969 Shelby GT500

2012 Kia World Challenge Optima

The Kia Optima (known in Korea as the K5) is one of the most successful midsize sedans made by the Korean manufacturer so what if this has a chance to be in the world of motorsport? Having learned its lesson from the Forte Koup, the Optima joined the ranks of the World Challenge series in 2012 and on the eight round of the 2012 season, Michael Galati propelled the Optima to the brand's first ever win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario.

2012 Kia World Challenge Optima

Let's Do The News! (April 19, 2013)

(cheers and applause)

JM: Okay, let's do the news!

JC: Right and anyway, I'd received this newsletter earlier on and it's from someone I'd never know. It says here that CISPA, the one that the Senate trashed it last year, has been passed on the House of Representatives.

(silence)

JC: No! I'm not joking, folks. It's true, CISPA has been passed by the House of Representatives. You heard the news, right?

RH: Uh...I think we really don't know about CISPA but what's that?

JC: Little man, don't you know? CISPA is a kind of act that turns the websites you love such as Google, Microsoft, or Facebook into government spies that unsuspecting traces your every move and that's annoying. Get it? That's annoying! It's like a lady undressing herself unsuspectingly been peeped by some Peeping Tom.

(audience laughing)

JC: I know, it's all boso-boso, but CISPA is definitely annoying! What would you do when CISPA becomes a law? Anybody?

(audience murmuring)

JC: That's exactly what you said! DON'T USE THE COMPUTER when CISPA becomes the law!

(audience laughing)

RH: Really? So you can't use Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, or other forms of social media because the Feds are keeping an eye on your move? Well, that's sound rubbish to me. I would rather do those things despite those.

JC: Well, fine for you little man.

(audience laughing)

JC: But still, even though CISPA has passed by the Senate, it's not yet been turned into law unless the US President has the power to either approve it or veto it. So, if he approves CISPA, then we're doomed and if we're not careful, we're barred.

(audience laughing)

JC: So, take note, Mr. President, please VETO the CISPA because netizens from around the world don't like this kind of thing because of privacy issues!

(audience laughing)

JM: Oh! Hey now! With a Doctor Who episode titled HIDE is fast approaching, I've heard that episodes 10, 11, and 12 for DW Series 7 has been named and here it is, look...







(wow)

JM: As you can see from those images about, it seems that next week involves on the TARDIS interior, next next week involves on...um...something...

(audience laughing)

JM:...and then the next next next week features a totally new look from the feared Cybermen. Come to look at it that I'm starting to like the new look of those Cybermen. Now they had this sort of glowing stuff on their chests. That's brilliant.

JC: Yeah, indeed brilliant take on one of The Doctor's oldest foe but you know what? I think it looks great to be a "collector's item" but sadly the blokes from Underground Toys had no plans to make those 2013 version of the Cybermen...

(audience laughing)

RH: Yeah, that's a shame for that. Always wanted to play one of those...

JC: Yeah, let yourself dream of having one...

(audience laughing)

(iPhone vibrating, Homer: Better them than me!)

JM: Uh...what's that?

JC: Oh, it says "Homer has finished Snake Hunt!"

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh, I see you're busy with your Simpsons gig on your iPhone eh? Typical...

(audience laughing)

RH: I know. I often get addicted to this Tapped Out city-building game and gets better because it released an Level 28 update featuring those mafia men, some new buildings and that's about it. Oh, there's still more of those Whacking Day stuff going on until next month.

JM: Whacking Day? Oh wait! I remember it now. You're too busy collecting snakes for limited edition items and how many snakes do you got as of now?

JC: Mine has...um...I think it's over a thousand and eight hundred snakes collected. Just two hundred more until I got myself a "snake rock" item in which for four hours, it hatches 10 snakes.

RH: Uh...okay...well good luck with the whacking day gig on The Simpsons, Jeremy....

(audience laughing)

RH: Now, anyway it seems that Dubai's Five-O had enlisted a new ride to catching up crims. Wanna guess what that car those Dubai rozzers get?

JC: Uh...wait, let me guess? Is it something Italian?

RH: Yes!

JC: Is it an Lambo?

RH: Correct! Here it is!

Dubai Police Lamborghini Aventador

(wow)

RH: And that's not all, it seems that the Dubai rozzers also got a Ferrari FF for a change!

Dubai Police Ferrari FF

RH: Guess those Dubai cops really know how to play a game of "Hot Pursuit" eh?

JC: Yeah, and those Italian supercars really make good interceptors on Dubai roads. I wonder if those can deploy spike strips on the move?

(audience laughing)

RH: Jeremy?

JC: Oh sorry. Must have played too much NFSMW on my way home.

(audience laughing)

JC: Now anyway, let me tell you a story, folks. Chaps, listen up. Now, everytime I scroll down every feed on Facebook, I often see everyone's statues, say what's going on in their community, sharing pics, so on, so forth. However, what I find it annoying what those stuff from Facebook that don't matter. Wanna guess what that is? Anyone?

(audience laughing)

JC: Whatever. What I find it annoying is when people shared pics that says "Like for Jesus, Share for Jesus, Scroll Down for Satan". What was that? What should I do?

(audience laughing)

JC: And then there was those things that don't matter like the thing that are relevant to daily life such as "This is how mom folds. This is how I fold", and then there's a pic that depicts those tags you can commonly see on your clothes, which is for washing instructions, and then "this is how it feels like" with some cactus on it. Also, there's this comparison between a man from the 80's and a man from today.

JM: What?

JC: You know? The man from the 80's is thin and has a small TV but the man of today has a big HD TV and a big tummy...Ahem...

(audience laughing)

JC: It seems most Facebook users often share some stuff that don't matter. If you're reading these, stop sharing such nonsense. Okay?

RH: What about those pics that most Facebook users share that makes you vomit?

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, I really don't wanna see those morons sharing pics that made me vomit uncontrollably.

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news.

Ella Cruz, IHAW NA!

Aryana actress, Ella Cruz, guested on the IHAW NA segment from the April 18, 2013 episode of BANANA NITE and in here, she talks about being a mermaid, her achievements, and much more.

Meanwhile, Angelica showcases some funny Facebook pics on another ETO NA POST segment. Pics include sleeping in the bed floating through the flooded village, the difference between female soldiers from two Koreas, how can you're welcome if you have no entry?, the bottom secret, and beers in the aquarium.

Also, Chazz is on the metro, daring anyone to reach their tongues to their noses in CHAZZ DO IT segment. Sadly, no one can even reach their tongues to their noses!

Forza Horizon: Rated ZAGATO

In reality, when a restaurant is labeled "Rated ZAGAT", then you'll know that it's a kind of restaurant that passed the likings from ZAGAT. Here in Forza Horizon, I wanted to give this game a "Rated ZAGATO" because not one but two Zagato models arrived on the party. One is pure British and the other one is half-Italian, half-American, if you know what I mean... But first...

This car feels like it's ZAGAT rated

Let's start with the V12 Zagato. Although, I maybe familiar with that car because I drove one on Forza Motorsport 4, the V12 Zagato is all about the power, beauty, and soul of an Aston Martin, enveloped with the timeless beauty done by a coachbuilder, Zagato. It is one of the most potent rides I have ever driven, not by the fact because it's an V12 Vantage underneath it but it is because the V12 Zagato, in racing-spec form as seen on Villa D'Este in 2011, feels like it's a wild party diguised as an intimate get-together. Get it? Intimate Get-Together! Now where did I heard that word? From a kids show that I often watched?

V12 Zagato is movin' to the beat

Because the V12 Zagato, as I explained, as a wild party disguised as an intimate get together, it sure knows how to move in to the beat and unlike any other Aston Martins that are a bit too dynamic for my tastes, it feels a bit normal, a bit well-behaved, and it really tickles me hardcore. This is the same feeling I'd expect on other Italian supercars but with a bit of "tea party" spilling through my driving fancies. This car will make you as fancy as an village idiot from a family of geniuses.

A dynamic point of view

I love this kind of Zagato machine so what on Earth have been thinking when this coachbuilder's joining forces again with Alfa Romeo when they made this?

Combination of Italian design with American powertrain

This is the TZ3 Stradale Zagato. This car is part of the April Top Gear Pack on Horizon and by the looks of it, it's not half bad, knowing the fact that it looks more like a modern equivalent of the Giulia TZ2 Zagato from the past. Good thing, the producers did the right thing, featuring an Alfa Romeo that was never been taken by a rival video game and that's the result. I'm starting to feel that I like this more than the Giulia TZ2 Zagato from a rival game but more importantly, it's a Dodge Viper underneath it!

Timeless beauty

Really?! This car was a Dodge Viper underneath it?! So this must be the first time I drove an Alfa Romeo that combines the design of Italian coachbuilder with the powertrain of an American sportscar. Sure, Chrysler was owned by Fiat so this is the cunning result of what happens when two worlds collide. Therefore, it still has the same V10 engine from the Viper, the same 6-speed manual from the Viper, the same interior from the Viper, and overall, the same dangerous driving feel that I can expect on the Dodge Viper SRT-10. Interesting...

Beat it, kid! Mine's more valuable than yours!

For car with an awkward-looking design, this car requires a skilled driver to master the fundamentals of the TZ3 Stradale and unlike the V12 Zagato, the TZ3 Stradale is a monster of a machine with the same dynamic and challenging driving feel of an V10-powerer American sportscar. It can kill even the most unskilled driver when fallen to the wrong hands but with enough practice, this is more rewarding. It's really really, that rewarding when you're careful.

Those ZAGATO-designed cars are just one way that even in Horizon, there's still some time living the fancy life because of its rarity, its unique looks, its driving feel, and everything that treats you like royalty. If you were Colorado's Ridge, Rave, or Rage of a racer, those two really know how to change courses because they're both fancy cars for the speedo boys living the fancy life in car heaven. Oh, just don't get fancy too much because it's going to be quite a disgusting feat.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (April 18, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1976 Ford Gran Torino

Basically, this is one of the most iconic "screen legends" in the automotive world probably because it was the "Striped Tomato" from a classic detective show Starsky & Hutch. With such popularity of the car as seen on the TV show, Ford made a limited-to-1000 replicas of the special "Starsky & Hutch" Gran Torinos which comes with a special paint option, but required the deluxe bumper group and dual color-keyed sport mirrors as mandatory options.

1976 Ford Gran Torino

1999 Plymouth Prowler

If you happen that if you see one of those Prowlers on the street, chances are that you're looking on a future classic that is very rare on American roads. The Prowler features some hot-rod styling cues that nods back from classic hotrods while it uses the same platform that was used on Chrysler's LH-cars. Under the hood, the Prowler comes with a 3.5L V6 engine which develops 214HP but in 1999, it was replaced with a more powerful version which develops 257PS of power while being mated with a 4-speed automatic.

Back in 1998, a Prowler was sealed in a mausoleum as a time capsule somewhere in Oklahoma and experts are looking forward what would a Prowler look like when it was sealed when the time capsule is opened in 2048, when it will be returned to Chrysler.

1999 Plymouth Prowler

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Using the second-generation Camaro as its basis, the Z/28 model of the Camaro features a high-performance LT-1 engine which churns out 360HP of power and 520Nm of torque, providing more performance than the previous 4.9L V8's that was applied on the 1967-69 Z/28 models. Available transmissions were either a 3-speed auto or a 4-speed manual.

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

Matteo Gudicelli, IHAW NA!

On April 17, 2013's Banana Nite, Tito Bhoy interviews guest celeb, Matteo Gudicelli, about his personal paraiso, his interests, his time with Jessy Mendiola since Paraiso, and other stuff that comes in Matteo's mind.

Meanwhile, Melai Cantiveros is here again for another Laugh Three and this time, Melai gave us three tips if you're getting sweaty on the go...

1) Pick a fight on someone who sells halo-halo

2) Pretend you're a beggar and knock on someone else's car!

3) Pretend you're fainting!

And then...THE FLASHER is flashing his...something something...to scare off unsuspecting victims! (Oops! This is RATED SSPG, don't forget!)