Maserati Quattroporte VI

Once, Maserati is a Italian sportscar maker specializes in cutting-edge grand tourers such as the GranTurismo, but by a twist from the noughties gave them a 4-door premium sedan that is a worthy contender against the Germans such as the S-Class, the 7-Series, and the A8.

It's called the Quattroporte and Quattroporte is Italian for four-doors when you're not surrendering. Now, you may remember that the Quattroporte was tested in Top Gear three years ago and even though it's not as fast as the Aston Martin Rapide or the Porsche Panamera, it's still one of the most interesting 4-door supercar ever made and that noise in sports mode really hits the spot. It's also more fun to drive and you can ever do some powersliding in here.

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

But now, let's move to the brand new and even more interesting Maserati Quattroporte. It's the newest incarnation of Maserati's 4-door supercar that we all like and at first glance, it's still more like The Godfather Part II but with some added...um...added...hey, what was the name of that HBO drama series that was ended a few years ago? Sopranos? Okay, it's still more like The Godfather Part II but with some added Sopranos on it.

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

How? Well, enough about mafia stuff, let's talk about the design. For starters, the front looks more of the same but it feels like Fidel Castro's face being squished  by several pliers. Also, two kinds of Maserati badges showed up in the front. One in the hood, one in the grille. Same as the Maserati GranTurismo but really? Do you need two badges on the front? And then there's the back view which feels like it came from the Kia K7. Go ahead, when you see a Kia K7, park near to it and you might notice that both of their backs look more of the same. Hmmm...

2013 Maserati Quattroporte interior

Now, what about the interior? Judging by its new interior, it's pretty much well crafted and well tailored like an exotic Chinese dress for the long-legged or maybe is Angelina Jolie's gown as seen in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, perhaps? Well, whatever that is, it's still looking nicely for the brand new interior of the new Quattroporte. Also, there's this stereo system in which when you had some spare change, you can opt in for the Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround System which features 15 speakers, 5 x 25mm aluminium dome tweeters, 5 x 100mm Kevlar midrange drivers, 2 x 165mm Kevlar bass/midrange drivers, 2 x 165mm Rohacell bass drivers, 1x 350x200mm racetrack subwoofer 16 channel Class D amplifier with a combined output 1,280W, and QuantumLogic Surround Sound processing. 

Sounds wonderful though, and what's amazing though that is has an available WLAN technology that effectively turns it into a rolling Wi-Fi HotSpot. With this, your boss at the back will spend most of the trips doing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with some hashtag nonsense. Yeah right, you might wanna leave as much hashtags you can while on the trip to Monte Carlo. He he he...

2013 Maserati Quattroporte

So, what about driving? If you were on the top-spec GTS version, it's still a a great car to drive on the open roads and on normal roads, as long as you're not fiddling with anything, it's still a comfortable premium saloon car. It was interesting but sadly, the fun doesn't last for long because the ride and handling doesn't have that "Ah!" factor so how about adding an extra ingredient? Four-wheel drive!

STOP: Four-wheel drive versions of the Quattroporte are available exclusively on the Left Hand Drive markets. Yes, really, the Quattroporte S Q4 is available only for selected Left Hand Drive markets.

The S Q4 version of the Quattroporte provides this 4-door supercar four-wheel drive so you can reach amazing angles and still rescue it but for a price, the 3.8 V8 engine was downgraded to a 3.0 V6 engine, which delivers 410PS of power, does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 176mph. Still, it was worth a shot against premium luxury German saloon cars with a top speed limited to 155mph so no worries for this one. Anyway, with the four wheel-drive, it becomes more forgiving and more enjoyable in the corners but sadly, it feels a bit more milder. It's too mild for a Quattroporte with four-wheel drive so you don't get the sensation flowing through your adrenaline so for a real challenge, let's go back to the GTS model because it has rear-wheel drive, 3.8L V8 engine that develops 530PS of power, and some added dynamism for some added challenge.

But still, whichever which version you're on, whether if its a rear-wheel drive GTS variant with a V8 engine or a four wheel drive S Q4, an 8-speed flappy-paddle gearbox is the only gearbox available for the new Quattroporte and although still a single-clutch rather than the too-common double clutch, it's worth on par with the best sport/luxury sedans in this segment but sadly, nothing's too perfect for this gearbox because it's still as complicating as the other Chrysler Group sedans wearing the same gearbox. Sigh...

Even though the gearbox is a bit of an issue for the new model because it's too much and the suspension noise that's more terrible to notice than checking your door for a power interruption notice on the next day, the new Quattroporte is still one of the most top notch premium sedans ever made and it sets a blistering pace against any two-tonne saloon that has any right to. It's still worth a try for a mafioso hitman to drive one or a chauffeur who turns out to be a former special ops.

Available colors: Nero, Bianco, Grigio Metallo, Bronzo Siena, Champagne, Nero Ribelle, Blu Passione, and Rosso Folgore.

Photo: Maserati

AD: TUNER FEST

If you're on the itch of finding one of the best tuner car shows in the Metro Manila, you might wanna consider TUNER FEST.

That's right, folks. TUNER FEST is known to be the BIGGEST and BADDEST car show in the north and it's coming at the Quezon City Circle this July 27, 2013. It's going to be fully loaded with some of the meanest modified cars as well as the mantra where "competition meets culture".

On this venue, three lucky participants will win an overnight stay for two at Coco Beach Island Resort at Puerto Galera.

Entry fee costs 1,500 Philippine Pesos.

TAGBOND MIXER INVITATION

Tagbond is the newest referrals and rewards platform which is also what the press release said "an easier and simpler way to tag each other". It develops network with developers, startup founders, and community owners as well and this July 26, 2013, feel free to witness the debut of TAGBOND in the debut even called TAGBOND MIXER "Rewards Revolutionized. Referrals Reinvented".

This event marks Tagbond's debut and on this debut event, you'll get the chance to learn more about this newly-developed mobile and web application, find out how to maximize its QR code and NFC tech features for advertising purposes, and meet various businessmen and web developers.

No entrance fees plus free foods and drinks!

AD: Win Free Turbo Movie Tickets Courtesy of iHanapKotse.com

iHanapKotse.com is a new webiste that is dedicated to car buying and selling. And to further increase consumer knowledge on where to find their future car or dealers to showcase them, they are inviting you to join their promo that you get a chance to win movie tickets to watch Turbo.




Want movie tickets (one person gets two tickets)? Well, read these mechanics below:

• Like iHanapKotse's Facebook page Click on this to redirect you.
• Post this on your Facebook wall: "I want to win 2 tickets to see Turbo via iHanapKotse.com. You should join too!" http://bit.ly/10HUSll
• Make sure your post is set on public
• You only have until July 17 to join
• Winners will be announced on July 18

If you have queries, please check out their website - http://www.ihanapkotse.com/title-win-2-tickets-to-see-turbo/ or contact them at (02) 625-8753.

Let's Do The News! (July 8, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and before that, hey, have you seen the "Cheche Lazaro Presents" documentary about how popular Be Careful With My Heart is and then how did Philippine soap operas changed the world forever since...um...hey, what was the first ever Philippine TV drama aired in history?

JC: Uh...I don't know...something about...um...I can't remember but all I know that the first ever radio drama in the Philippines was Gulong ng Palad...I don't know what year it was but I think it was from the last century, I think...

(audience laughing)

JM: Yeah, and I can't believe that for 60 years of Philippine Television, it seems that the whole soap opera or teleserye stuff became the stuff of legends most Filipinos stick to it every day and became part of their daily lives. Wouldn't you believe that some TV dramas in the Philippines in the past took two and a half years of its tenure like Mara Clara, Esperanza, and Pangako Sa 'Yo?

(ooohh)

JC: Yeah. Maybe it's because it's the production team that makes the stories go longer and longer and longer until the end of its tenure itself but then capture a wide audience anyway no matter the outcome. What puzzles me that why would the producers keep the TV dramas getting longer and longer by putting some more twists such as amnesias and other stuff that keeps it longer. I wonder what if some teleseryes in the past had a 7 month tenure rather than having two to four years of tenure...

(audience laughing)

JM: I don't know but...it's not worth tasty at all but because of the competition, most teleseryes of today keeps on getting better and better and better but for a price of the storyline. Maybe is it because of the TV drama's wide reception that keeps on going...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, thanks for asking James and ahem...what's this?

RH: Oh? This? This is a pic Disney Japan sent us...

Commodore Perry the Platypus?

(audience laughing)

JC: Who's this? Some duck-beaver hybrid?

RH: No Jeremy, that's a platypus. Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. Also known as Agent P, the animal agent. Anyway, there's been a stamp rally going on somewhere in Yokohama and if you don't know what that is, a stamp rally is where people go to a certain venue to stamp their book with rubber stamps. There's going to be loads of Perry goods for the lucky few and oh, there's a Perry the Platypus-themed shop for a limited time somewhere in Yokohama as well. It runs from July 13 to August 31, 2013.

JC: Stamp rally kinda feels like a scavenger hunt for us except when you see a stamp venue, you're going to stamp it in your stamp book, right?

RH: Exactly.

JC: Wow, this is going to be more challenging than our Top Gear Christmas Specials....

(audience laughing)

JC: Okay, a few months ago, Hiromi Hirata, the seiyuu who played Makoto Kikuchi in The iDOLM@STER game and anime series, announced her pregnancy. Now, Hirata-san, I heard, finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Her message says...

I received help from many people during my pregnancy until I gave birth, and I am very grateful. There are many things I want to talk about, but for now, my son is top priority...

(audience in silence)

RH: Nice going, you broke their brains. Speaking of which, did she showed up on the iM@S 8th Anniversary Concert HOP!STEP!!FESTIV@L!!! in Zepp Nagoya yesterday?

JC: Hmmm...Afraid not...You know her. She's been taking a rest after giving labor to her baby. That's why she isn't part of yesterday's concert. Only the fan favorites showed up in the concert, especially Eriko Nakamura, Asami Imai, and Akiko Hasegawa.

RH: Oh...

JC: Okay, James, you saw Despicable Me 2, right? You said it wasn't worth watching but it's more than enough. Right?

JM: Uh....

JC: Anyway, I just went on the internet and I saw one of their online extras from the movie and then it was the one with how many minions does it take to change a lightbulb. What's surprising that there was that online extra about that, where a minion just speak Tagalog...

(audience laughing)

JC: True! Here's the clip...



(audience laughing)

RH: Did the minion just spoke Tagalog?

JC: Yeah. I just heard words like "Ganito Na", "Win Pa", "Ikot Tara", and then "Tumalon". Heard that?

(audience laughing, then said yes)

JC: There you go. Even Gru's Minions can speak Tagalog. Despicable Noypi.

(audience laughing)

JC: Perhaps no wonder the minions kinda look like President Noynoy Aquino or Boy Abunda perhaps....Anyway, speaking of Tagalog, I just heard that there are some experts out there suggesting that the tagalog word for Philippines is Pilipinas should be called Filipinas instead. Hmmm... I don't know why but why would they want to rename the Pilipinas word from the letter P to the letter F?

(audience laughing)

JM: What does it sound like? Pilipinas or Filipinas? Don't know but that kind of proposal from the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) sure knows that they want to swap the letter F from the letter P. Some say, the use of Filipinas instead of Pilipinas recognizes the country's history and development as a nation. That reminds me, if that KWF really want to change from Pilipinas to Filipinas, I wonder if...

JC: What? Filipinos not going to use the letter P anymore and then replace if with the letter F because of the whole Filipinas-Pilipinas fiasco?

(audience laughing)

JC: Let's imagine. The word: Philippines. Because of that WKF's proposal, it should now be called "FHILIFFINES".

(audience laughing)

JC: Oh...That' can't be right. Okay, how about...Papa. Because of that, it's now been called FAFA.

(audience laughing)

RH: FAFA?!

JC: Whoa. No idea why would the KWF really want to change the whole Philippine linguistics by replacing P with F. Any words that starts with the P on it? Anyone?

(audience murmuring)

JM: Oh! Oh! I know! (imitates Jeremy) POWERRRRR!!!!!

(audience laughing)

JM: It's now...FOWERRRRR!!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: That sounds like flower to me. Can't believe they're turning us gay with this transition! It's about worse than spending the whole night watching My Husband's Lover! Anyone watch that?

(audience murmuring)

JC: If you saw that, then you'll know what it probably means.

(audience laughing)

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

JM: And oh! Volkswagen! Since their Polo got involved in the world of rallying, may I present you with this?

2014 Volkswagen Polo R WRC

RH: Yeah. First glance, it looks like a hot Polo but this is a road-legal version of the WRC machine. It's called the Polo R WRC and this is a homologation model that is limited to 2500 units worldwide.

JM: Yes. Even though this road-legal version is limited to 2500 units available, this is more of a powerful version of the Polo GTi but the engine that powers it was a 2.0L engine developing 220PS of power, which is more than the GTi and it can do 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds. That's a split second faster than the Golf GTi and it has a top speed of 151mph.

RH: It costs 33,900 Euros in Germany each and for an optional extra, there's an 18-inch Cagliari alloy wheels, bi-xenon lamps, sport seats, cruise control, light and rain sensor, winter package, and more. Well, for a road-legal version like this. I think this is well staggering.

Top Gear S20E02

Top Gear S20E02

For Episode 2 of BBC Top Gear Series 20, Jeremy Clarkson does a power test on one of the most insane British lightweights ever made, the BAC Mono, and when given to The Stig, it became Top Gear's 2nd fastest, with a lap time of 1:14.3, that's faster than the V8 Ariel Atom but slower than Pagani Huayra.

Meanwhile Richard Hammond enlisted help from touring car legends to find out which country makes the best taxis and yes, some carnage occurred in every corners. In the end, it turns out that the Indian Taxi is the best taxi in the world.

Then, director Ron Howard is the star in the brand new reasonably priced car, the 2013 Vauxhall Astra, and he did it in 1:49.9.

Also, James May gives a big farewell to the BBC Television Centre by turning the now-closed BBC Television Centre into a funhouse full of stunts galore! It's a dirt bike vs. Parkour free-runners race on the abandoned TV centre and in the end...the dirt bike won the race in a spectacular fashion. What a way to say goodbye to the BBC Television Centre!

And to end the episode, Jeremy Clarkson had a "leaping" good time on the Scottish province with Ferrari's brand new supercar, the F12berlinetta. Oh, some tennis balls are involved in the episode as well...

#gbpulubi

On the July 7, 2013 episode of Goin Bulilit:

- Anong pinagkaiba jokes

- Pulubi gags

- Goin Bulilit "shortens the story of "Ang Panday"

- A Taxi Stand - Taxi that stands up...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- Goin Bulilit music video of Vice Ganda's Kara Karaka

- Bugoy tells us how much the expenses that costs us our minimum wage...

- Sleeping pills, a pill that sleeps...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- A ghost is lurking around the house...

- A balanced diet is...a BALANCING meal...LITERALLY SPEAKING!

- Ready Get Set Goin in "Oh Yes! I'm The Grapes Pretender"

F1 2013 German GP

Even with Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes taking the Pole Position, he's still no match against Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who became the winner of this season's German GP held at the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit, his own hometurf. Such win led two racers from Lotus, Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, to 2nd and 3rd.

PRESS RELEASE:

Race - Vettel holds off Raikkonen charge for first home win

Sebastian Vettel finally won his home Grand Prix with a finely judged drive under intense pressure from the Lotuses of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean in Germany on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Bull driver grabbed the lead at the start after out-dragging polesitter Lewis Hamilton and fending off fast-starting team mate Mark Webber into the Nurburgring’s first corner. The world champion then controlled the pace as the first round of pit stops pushed Grosjean into a challenging position as the Frenchman ran a long opening stint for Lotus. 

Grosjean led laps nine to 13 after Vettel had made his first of three stops, and resumed the chase thereafter. But he lost his advantage over team mate Raikkonen after an almost comedic - but thankfully harmless - moment on the 24th lap. Jules Bianchi’s Marussia ground to a halt on the rise to the NGK chicane on the 22nd lap, momentarily catching fire, and two laps after the Frenchman had abandoned it there - and before the marshals had recovered it - the red and black car began to roll slowly back down the hill, across the track. 

Mercifully, nobody was approaching at the time, but the safety car was deployed and did not go in until the end of the 29th lap, with racing resuming on the 30th tour.

The safety-car period hampered Grosjean, but helped Webber. The Australian had been waved back out too soon after his first pit stop on the ninth lap, and his right-rear wheel became detached, bouncing down the pit lane. It subsequently struck FOM cameraman Paul Allen on his left-hand side, knocking him to the ground. He remained conscious and was treated at the medical centre before being helicoptered to Koblenz Hospital for observation.

Webber lost a lap before restarting, but was waved past the safety car to make up that lap before the race was allowed to restart.

By that stage Vettel had both Lotuses on his tail, and the fight was on. First it was Grosjean who launched the attack prior to his final pit stop on the 40th lap. Vettel stopped on the 41st, leaving Raikkonen to build a lead until he stopped, for soft Pirellis, on the 49th lap. With both Vettel and Grosjean on well-worn mediums, that clever split strategy from Lotus should have proved conclusive, but it took the Finn a while to catch and pass his team mate, who eventually let him by approaching the chicane on the 55th lap.

Raikkonen got the hammer down and closed down a two-second gap, but he ran out of time to launch a final attack and Vettel’s Red Bull crossed the line a second ahead of the Finn’s Lotus. 

Behind them, Fernando Alonso’s stealthy race for Ferrari, which unlike the majority of the top 10 had started on the medium tyres, brought him to Grosjean’s tail in the closing stages. He had stayed on mediums for most of the race until taking softs on the 53rd lap for the last stint. At one stage it seemed a formality that he would pass the second Lotus, but Grosjean held on for a much-needed podium finish.

Hamilton’s was a tough race, in which he lost a lot of time trapped behind Nico Hulkenberg’s well-driven Sauber, but he was as feisty as ever as he hauled himself back to fifth place, passing the McLarens of Sergio Perez, then Jenson Button, in the closing stages.

Hamilton’s old team was back to its usual form with a great strategic race in which Button started on mediums, Perez on softs. The two raced each other wheel-to-wheel at times, but it was Button who had the upper hand this time as he took sixth. Perez couldn’t resist a charging Webber in the final laps, but finished eighth ahead of Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg, whose qualifying woes were reflected in a tough race which brought him a deeply disappointing ninth ahead of Hulkenberg, who showed top form.

Paul di Resta beat Force India team mate Adrian Sutil on the latter’s home ground, leading home Daniel Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso which faded early and became mired in the midfield battle. Sutil and Sauber’s on-form Esteban Guttierez were 13th and 14th respectively, with the Williamses of Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas showing improved form to mix it with all of the midfield before finishing 15th and 16th.

Charles Pic brought his Caterham home 17th after a long fight with fast-starting team mate Giedo van der Garde, as Marussia’s Max Chilton was the final finisher. Besides Bianchi, Ferrari’s Felipe Massa retired after only three laps with an odd-looking spin going into Turn 1, while Jean-Eric Vergne pitted his Toro Rosso on lap 22 with hydraulic problems and did not continue.

The result increases Vettel’s points score to 157 with Alonso on 123 from Raikkonen on 116, Hamilton 99, Webber 93 and Rosberg 84. In the constructors’ stakes, Red Bull have 250 to Mercedes’ 183, with Ferrari third on 180, Lotus on 157, Force India on 59 and McLaren on 49.

Two incidents remained under stewards' investigation after the race: Webber's unsafe release with the errant wheel at Red Bull, and an unsafe release of Force India's Di Resta into the path of Vergne.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/7/14782.html

NEXT STOP: Hungary this July 28!

Audi A3 Sportback (Typ 8V) and S3 Sportback (Typ 8V)

2014 Audi A3 Sportback

This is an Audi A3, the new model, and what this is is an all new 5-door model of the new model, called the A3 Sportback. As far as I am thinking, the three door model of the new A3 is kinda more of a Volkswagen Golf for unnecessary selfies because of its fancy gizmos and a bigger price tag.and the same kind of stuff goes for the new five-door model. However, I'm not really sure why I call this one a VW Golf for people carrying a Louis Vuitton bag.

Starting at the pricing and with the cost of 22,500 Euros, which is almost 4,000 more than the standard 5-door Volkswagen Golf and of course, you can expect the same engine choices as the 3-door model; such as the 1.8 TFSi engine which develops 180HP of power, a 1.4 TFSi engine that develops 140HP of power, a 1.6 TDi engine, and a 2.0 TDi engine developing 150PS of power. But...there's a catch up because there's now an uprated version of the 2.0 TDi engine which now develops 184PS of power and 380Nm of torque.

2014 Audi A3 Sportback

Thing is though, the new Sportback version adds 35mm of its wheelbase, which is more than its 3-door equivalent, and also the boot's increased to 380 liters, which is somewhat similar from its VW Golf and Seat Leon cousins. Very nice though. Also, because this is a 5-door model, this isn't the Audi A3 for the selfies, it's made for the socialites who want to spend some time with his friends at the mall, the bar, the country club, or whatever for a socialite having a blowout with his friends. Sadly though, because of its pricing, this is more of a selfie car with 5-doors rather than a normal 5-door hatchback made for someone who has friends.

2014 Audi A3 Sportback interior

Another problem for this 5-door A3 Sportback made for so-called selfies is that because of its added doors, added wheelbase, and the added boot space, it now weighs 30kg more than its 3-door equivalent so when it comes to being a "sport" hatchback, it's not quite as sporty as its 3-door cousin. You can expect a fair amount of understeer as you corner and oh! I haven't got myself to the big demerit and that's about an optional sport suspension. Although the sport suspension adds more agility to the A3 Sportback, this is about as stressful as flipping tables when you're angry. Best to avoid that if you're having osteoporosis or if you had back aches because this optional sport suspension makes your back pain even worse.

Still, could be worse. You might be end up winding in one of these...

2014 Audi S3 Sportback

2014 Audi S3 Sportback

Welcome everyone to the new S3 Sportback and yes, most of you asking that this is more of a Golf GTi with a fancier name and a bigger price tag and it was...

It costs 39,800 Euros and what you expect is the same dynamics as its 3-door equivalent, the added wheelbase, the added doors, the added doors, the added weight, the same 2.0L turbo engine, the same 6-speed double clutch transmission, on and on and on and giggity giggity goo. Anyway, forget about the giggity giggity goo because this isn't a hot hatch for wired freaks who spend two days drinking too much caffeine, it's a bit more than that.

Like the three-door version, the S3 Sportback continues to be a wild one, it's still the S3 I know, far from being one of the most powerful 2-litre hot hatch you can buy but because the new A45 AMG from Mercedes-Benz develops over 360HP, the new S3 Sportback can't catch up to its standards because it develops over 300HP of power and 280lb-ft of torque. And because this is heavier than the 3-door S3, 0-60mph takes about 4.8 seconds and top speed normally limited to 155mph.

In terms of being an all-rounder, there is also a big demerit on the Sportback version and it's not quite a character building machine because of the poor feedback of the power steering. It feels like you're struggling to twist a very tight nut with your pliers and it keeps getting harder and harder until the nuts gets loose. Even when you're driving like a wired freak, it still not quite as wired as the M135i or the A45 AMG. It's not quite a thriller but the S3 Sportback tries to balance out the right things and the wrong things.

Choosing which of these two is not quite easy because even though the A3 Sportback and its sportier version, the S3 Sportback, were made to look like posh Golfs for the socialites, they're still acting like a bunch of selfies so in the meantime, I would rather go back to the Golf GTi instead because its cheaper than the S3 and has loads of enjoyment only a selfie would drive...almost.

Photo: Audi AG

Third Generation Acura MDX

2014 Acura MDX

Well, what we have here is an Acura MDX except that now, it's been regenerated to a completely different look and for the all-new, third-generation model, I can easily confuse it to its little brother, the RDX. How confusing is the new model? Well, beginning to the design department, and at first glance, it really looks like an Acura RDX enlarged by some kind of "growth ray" or something, and on the back, the rear lamps were designed to look like the ones as seen on the RLX flagship model and then there are Acura's new signature Jewel Eye headlamps which is kinda irritating for those who had Trypophobia.

If you don't know what that is, it's about fear of clustered holes. It's not classified yet but once you see one, you'll feeling nauseous, your skin crawls, your stomach turns, and you might be skipping lunch today. That's exactly what it feels like when you take a peek over the Jewel Eye headlamps. Ooohh.... I really don't want to peek over these headlamps in case I had the bad case of trypophobia!

2014 Acura MDX

Whatever that is, this new MDX is not suitable for those who had trypophobia because of its jewel eye headlamps and whoever has a fear of that kind should consider not to look at one or they'll be skipping lunch for today. However, don't be fooled thinking that this feels more of a regular crossover rather than a luxury crossover because from what Acura said, the new model is now lighter from the previous models' 4,548 - 4,588lbs to 4,025-4,103lbs (FWD) and 4,255-4,322lbs for the SH-AWD model.

Just how did Acura manage to drop such weight? Well, what Acura did to this new model is by making it rigid and using high-strength steel. Previous incarnations rely on an existing Global Light Truck Platform but for this new model, it's an all-original one and it's made from scratch rather than reusing that existing platform because of what Acura said in the development of the new MDX, they had enough of that. Yep. They have had it and decided to make the new model out of a new platform rather than relying on the old platform.

The use of a new original platform really makes the MDX, Acura's best-selling crossover in America, made even more distinguishable and when equipped with the SH-AWD system, this is even much better than the front-wheel-drive model because with the SH-AWD, it kinda feels like the old Honda Legend in so many ways except this is a crossover with the right kind of drivetrain. This is quite a recommendation here because a new MDX with the SH-AWD layout should be more forgiving and more civilized. Sadly though, there is a "but"...

The old 3.7L V6 has now been thrown away and went back to a 3.5L V6 engine but now with added gasoline direct injection. It develops 290HP of power, 10 less than the old one but because it's lighter than the old model, 0-60mph takes under seven seconds, while mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For fuel consumption, well, thanks to its weight loss, the EPA estimated MPG is now 27MPG highway on the SH-AWD model and 28MPG highway on the front-wheel-drive model.

I once checked the previous MDX a couple of years ago and when it went through our Car Town garage since last year, I carefully examined about why the MDX is all about practicality and convenience, making it a state-of-the-art Togetherness. For this new model, it still has state-of-the-art togetherness even in its newly regenerated look.

2014 Acura MDX interior

2014 Acura MDX interior

But all this newly regenerated look do come with the price, it's available for 42,290 US Dollars but when you go through the packages list, and whichever package you chose, you can expect a host of additional features to choose from such as:

• Acura Navigation System
• Voice Recognition & Song by Voice
• AcuraLink with Real-Time Traffic
• Blind Spot Information System
• Forward Collision Warning System
• Lane Departure Warning System
• ELS Studio Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio & HD Radio
• Rear-door Smart Entry
• GPS-linked Temperature Control
• 19-inch wheels & Puddle lights
• Acura DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES)
• 9-inch overhead screen
• Front center console 110-volt power outlet
• Wireless headphones and remote
• Rear-door window shades
• Tri-level heated 2nd-row outboard seats
• Ceiling-mounted center speaker
• Perforated Milano leather-trimmed 1st & 2nd row seats
• 6-level heated & ventilated front seats
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) w/ Low Speed Follow
• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Remote Engine Start
• RES with 16.2-inch overhead screen and HDMI input
• Two ceiling-mounted center speakers
• Auto-dimming side mirrors
• Front and rear parking sensors

Well, for starters, when you have over 60 grand on your wallet, you can go for the MDX with Advance and Entertainment Packages because of the dual-screen rear monitor where two screens are in one monitor rather than separated from the seats so kids can enjoy two movies in one monitor. What I don't want to expect is to have one little 10 year-older watching a kids cartoon while an unruly 18-year-old teenage girl watching a horror movie on one side. Ooohh...that's going to be a hassle and that poor kid can't concentrate watching his favorite cartoon while a super gory horror movie on one side is on the mix. He he he....

And there we are, the all-new 2014 MDX may have terribly confusing looks and the headlamps not suitable for those with Trypophobia as well as the front-wheel drive's frustration but with the reduced weight, the forgiving SH-AWD, and the dual-screen rear monitor which is part of a package that costs you under 60 grand, it's really not that bad.

Available Colors: White Diamond Pearl, Silver Moon, Graphite Luster Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Fathom Blue Pearl, Forest Mist Metallic, and Dark Cherry Pearl.

Photo: Acura

"NANGINGIBABAW"

On the July 5, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang:

- "Kasalanan mo 'to" gags

- Mr. Assimo playing Pinoy Henyo

- Old man's can't sleep in his room. Perhaps, he needs a honeymoon...

- Due to new television regulations, use of bad words especially the word "ulol" is not recommended. Hmmm....

- Bubble Gang does Nescafe Classic by spoofing this commercial as RESCAFE CLASSIC. Nangingibabaw.

Bubble Gang does Nescafe

- Mga Baklang Sisiw...

- Let's give a hand...for the hand that keeps him company!

- Pickup Lines with Push Back, Dahon, and Boy Basag!

- This man gets startled easily...

- This woman's watching too much drama...and her linguistics are getting formal as we thought.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (July 6, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1993 RWB Ramintra 993R

RWB's 993 body kit provides an even more aggressive look for the 993-spec 911 coupe. Although it's even more of a monster on track days, it's still a swagger on the streets. For optional extras, the 993R from RWB includes a RWB suspension package courtesy of KW and Aragosta, a CHAMPION WING, Hakama side big rockers, fender wing, canard, and a reflector.

1993 RWB Ramintra 993R

1958 Subaru 360

Fuji Heavy Industries used to make aircraft out of their Nakajima Aircraft Company but they decided to join the automotive industry starting with their first ever Subaru ever made, the 360. Powered by the 356cc engine, which was the standard kei car displacement in the 50's, that produces about 16HP of power and it was positioned at the back.

1958 Subaru 360

1960 Fiat Nuova 500 D

The D model of the Nuova 500 looks more similar to the original Nuova but it was powered by a 499cc engine developing 17hp of power and it comes with the roof where in the standard D model, the roof doesn't fold back as far as the roof while it has an optional "transformable" roof on the Nuova. Surprisingly, it comes with suicide doors for added uniqueness.

1960 Fiat Nuova 500 D