What's in our Car Town garage today? (February 16, 2014)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

Thanks to the notoriety deserved from the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro after its debut as a 2010 model, Chevrolet let this new age Camaro become the pace car for the 2010 Indy 500 and because it has been proven to be quite a popularity, they even made a special edition model based on that particular pace car!

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

2008 Ferrari California

Premiered at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the new California is the first ever Ferrari that can be used as a daily driver and you can use it on the road no matter what schedule you're on. It has the first-ever 4.3L V8 direct injected engine that develops 460PS of power and 485Nm of torque while mated to a Formula 1-style double clutch gearbox that makes shifting seamless. It's an appealing grand tourer made for those who have an outgoing personality.

2008 Ferrari California

2012 Volvo World Challenge S60

While the second-generation Volvo S60 redefined the meaning of safety in the automotive lexicon, its sporty character really never let it down and as demonstrated by this race car used for the Pirelli World Challenge. These racing machines were driven by Randy Pobst and Alex Figge.

2012 Volvo World Challenge S60

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - Tommykaira ZZ-S

Today, we're taking a look at another one of the cars that are EXCLUSIVE TO GRAN TURISMO. This Tommykaira ZZ-S is a lightweight Japanese sportscar that is a product from the minds of Tommykaira. Its lightweight composition can be somewhat compared to the British lightweights such as the Lotus Elise and although while the body and the chassis is hand made by Tommykaira themselves, it's powered by a SR20DE engine from Nissan but modified by Tommykaira for added power. Although extinct, the ZZ-S is quite a rarity and legend has it, a small company revived the Tommykaira ZZ as Japan's answer to the extinct Tesla Roadster.

This ZZ-S will run through the Goodwood Hill Climb but at what time will the ZZ-S post?









It posted a 0:56.599 lap time!

This Japanese lightweight sportscar did prove that "less is more" when it comes to this performance. You won't find this car at any game until someone gave me a tip but still...(ahem)...

Tommykaira ZZ-S - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Let's Do The News! (February 15, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Earlier, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) began a charity walk for the benefit of Superstorm Yolanda victims. Although more of a charity walk, this WORLDWIDE WALK is gunning for the Guinness World Record for LARGEST CHARITY WALK (single venue) and LARGEST CHARITY WALK IN 24 HOURS (multiple venues). It's a cross-country walk for a cause but will they do it?

- A few years ago, a Japanese company collaborated with Cie Games for the Asian equivalent of Car Town called Car Town EX. It's like the original one except it's available exclusively for Asian countries including the Philippines. Earlier this year, with Cie Games taking full responsibility of both versions, EX players from Asia-Pacific were shocked that Car Town EX's services will be ending soon. The blue points they had will retain once they switched to the original Car Town but sadly, all their hard-earned cars, decorations, and other stuff will be gone, which is somewhat a bad move for a small developer based in California. What would they do now?

- An infographic, according to our sources, pointed that there could be possible heavy traffics in the Metro in any event one of the 2014 infrastructure projects kicked in.

- Elisa, the singer behind the songs from Kagaku no Railgun, Hayate no Gotoku 2nd Season, TWGOK, and others, will be one of the special guests at April 2014's Sakura Con, marking her 1st arrival at a North American convention.

- Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan returns to the screen as former CIA Agent Devereaux in the upcoming film November Man, based on the late Bill Granger's There Are No Spies, which is the seventh-installment of the 13-part November Man franchise. It also stars Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, Luke Bracey, and Bill Smitrovich. Roger Donaldson served as the director of the film.

- About 1 million units of the Toyota Prius have been recalled recently due to hybrid system problems.

- Asian V8 Championship, the Asian equivalent of NASCAR, will have a premiere at the 27th of February at the Resorts World Atrium while testing starts at March 1 at Batangas Racing Circuit. On the 5th and 6th of April, the first of three two-day motorsport festivals to showcase the new race will be held at Clark International Speedway.

- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 collaborates with the World Wildlife Fund to spread the message encouraging everyone to use their power to become superheroes for the planet. Our favorite friendly neighborhood, Spiderman, will be the first Super Hero ambassador for this year's EARTH HOUR, coinciding with the launch of Earth Hour Blue, a new digital crowdfunding platform for the planet to engage everyone in the annual lights off event, which will be held on the 29th of March, 2014, at 8:30PM.

TTFN!!!

Renault Samsung QM5 Neo and QM3

The QM5 crossover has been around longer than the Brainiacs and this crossover remains a competitive one even though it's becoming less appreciative as time goes by. Made in Korea, sold globally as the Renault Koleos, and uses components from the Renault Nissan Alliance, the QM5 sure knows how to be a global competitor in the world of crossovers but there are only a little people having one of those because of the competition heating up.

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo

For its last-ditch effort to set things right, the Korean division of the Renault Nissan Alliance prepped up a facelifted version of the QM5, a few months after the Renault Koleos got facelifted for the European market. It's called the QM5 Neo and yes, this crossover really want to fight 'till its last breath. So what's for this swan song?

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo interior

For its brand new 2014 QM5 Neo, you can notice the new front face as shown from Renault's design language and this new look can be somewhat summarized as athletic and premium, what the carmaker states. They've also added new stuff like air vents in the central B-pillars so that air, hot or cold, can get through the rear seat passengers without the drama. A tire-pressure monitoring system is added and let's not talk about it because no one sure knows what it is.

On the engine side, here's a plot twist though because the former's 2.5L CVTC engine has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and now the available engines offered were a smaller 2.0L petrol engine and a 2.0L diesel engine. That's it. The 2.0L petrol engine develops 143HP of power, 20.1kg-m of torque, and a power-to-weight ratio of about 10.98kg/hp because the front-wheel drive model with the 2.0L petrol engine weighs around 1570kg. Mated to a CVT gearbox, the fuel economy is just shy about 10.6km/L and CO2 emission of 166g/km.

The 2.0L diesel adds 200kg of weight but it delivers 173HP of power, 36.7kgm of torque, and 13.2km/L of fuel economy, again, thanks to the CVT gearbox. For front-wheel drive models, the power-to-weight ratio is about 9.86kg/hp. Exclusive to the diesel model is an available 4WD option for all-round capability, well as a theory.

Suspension-wise, the QM5 Neo has a front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension to make handling a bit European-ish, and again, as a theory because I suspect, it kinda behaves like an everyday European saloon car for a crossover made by the Koreans. He he he...

Well, I guess that's pretty much enough for the QM5 Neo but because it was priced from about 22,500,000 to 33,100,000 Korean Won, you might think that it's a bit too expensive but what if you want something cheaper than the QM5 but something a bit stylish and more convincing than the QM5 Neo? Well, it's this...

2014 Renault Samsung QM3

Yes, it's a brand new QM3. Unlike the QM5, it's available only in front-wheel drive, just like its Euro equivalent, the Renault Captur. And unlike the QM5, it's powered by a smaller 1.5L diesel engine mated to a 6-speed EDC gearbox.

2014 Renault Samsung QM3 interior

It looks more targeted squarely at today's computer geeks except in my eye, it's much more well behaved and well mannered than the QM5 Neo but for a quick drawback, remember what I told about the Renault Captur a couple of months ago? You don't? Well, never mind about that but no matter how hard I explained about this new model, it's still a proven hit among Koreans everywhere and the first 1000 units were all accounted for since its launch. Quite impressive for RSM, though, but what motivates it?

The price tag for the QM3 began in 22,500,000 Korean Won, similar to the QM5 Neo's starting price and because it's compact and as small as a supermarrow, it's not all that complicated to drive it around the streets of Gangnam. And because it has a fuel economy of 18.5km/L, it's worth being a cross-country companion and by scientific calculations; the 10,000km per year fuel cost, in today's climate, would be about more than a 1,082,000 Korean Won (10,000km ÷ 18.5kmpl x 2000KRW* per Litre). Anyway, forget about maths! Let's conclude it in a simplified manner because in the end, you have a choice between these two crossovers from Renault Samsung.

*estimated but fuel prices may vary.

If you want something more of an all-rounder if you're under the weather, your best bet would be the QM5 because the diesel model has an available 4WD model but if its the sense of the city you're after and if you're a bit of a techie, then you might be off with the QM3. The QM3 maybe less powerful than the QM5 but because it feels so light, you can have a lot more fun in it but not at all. After all, they're can be worth a brain burner if you do the math on both of these.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors

Bubble Gang 18: The Valentine's Special

On the February 14th, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Proposal gags...

- A game show contestant feels a bit relaxed, while the game show host feels extremely excited.

Master Showcase

- Mr. Assimo in the flower shop.

Mr. Assimo

- Date night gone wrong

- Uy! Nangangamoy balikan! Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme by spoofing this commercial as LUCKY VI SUPREME!

Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme

- Ikaw at ang Ina takes on...Facebook Likes!

- Dingga Rap continues in the parlor!

- Big life questions answered in mathematical chunks in ANG BAGONG DATING DOON.

- An interview with an old couple.

Atty. Rodriguez and Butch Bonson Jowa

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Eight

14th of February, 2014 - DAY 8

It seems that athletes from all over the European continent are becoming more dominant when it comes to going for the gold medal in various categories over the course of the Sochi 2014 games. The eighth day of the Winter Olympics is no exception as demonstrated by numerous Europeans such as them:

- Sandro Viletta from Switzerland is the winner of the Men's Super Combined Slalom

- Belarusian athlete Darya Domracheva won the Women's 15km Individual

- Swiss athlete Dario Cologna is the winner of the Men's 15km Classic Cross Country.

- Alla Tsuper scored another win for the Belarus as she won the final round of the Ladies' Aerials.

- UK's Elizabeth Yarnold won the Women's Heat Skeleton match at the time of 3:52.89.

Also on this day, Japan scored their first gold medal of this year's winter games as Yuzuru Hanyu won the Men's Free Skating after obtaining the score of 280.09 overall from the judges.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-8

Let's Do The News! (February 14, 2014)

Meanwhile at the studio...

(cheers and applause)

Richard: Right, while we're doing that kind of thing, Good Luck Charlie ends this Sunday night on Disney Channel. It's going to be the last for the Duncan family as Teddy, played by the ever lovely Bridgit Mendler, heads to college. Well, this 4-season-long show never gave up to its last breath without a good send-off.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: So, what's Bridgit going to do now? Live like the rest of other Disney celebs after their show's over and ended up doing bad stuff like what happened to Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez?!

(audience laughing)

Richard: I have no idea what are you talking about. Haven't you?

Jeremy: Well, I'm sure she's going to be all messed up like the rest when their shows from Disney met its maker. Feels like you were once a member of an elite force where in the end, you got terminated for your reckless actions. Same goes to the others so I felt pity for them...

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, news?

James: Yes, indeed. The news and Peugeot launched their new micro-mini car, it's called the 108. Here it is...

2015 Peugeot 108

(oooohh)

Richard: Whoa, that's a neat little hatchback they got here.

Jeremy: Sure is, and I have to say that it looks like a shrunken version of whatever Peugeot hatches we can think of like the 208 and the 308. But the looks are a bit too gaudy for me. It's a bit like Victoria Beckham meets...um...Barbie doll, if you know what I'm saying?

(audience laughing)

Richard: I know, but would you like me to do some faces? I'm sure I'm pretty good at mimicking Peugeot faces around here, you remember that?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Yes but don't. Because I know something even more weird than this Peugeot. It's the new Renault Twingo! There it is! There!

2015 Renault Twingo

Jeremy: I mean look at this face. That's even as cute as those...Chuggington trains.

(audience laughing)

Richard: Thing is though. The new model is now a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, like a Porsche 911.

(huh?)

Jeremy: Really?

Richard: Exactly. This new Twingo kinda feels like a Porsche 911 on a tight budget and sounds good enough for me.

Jeremy: (clears throat) I'm starting to not like this one because it's got the characteristics of a 911!!!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh wait! I know something even worse than that new Twingo!

James: What is it? A front-wheel drive BMW?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh! You got me in the middle. It is and the name sounds misleading because they kept the 2-Series name, which we're sure it's the name of coupe versions of the 1-Series hatchbacks. There it is...

2015 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Jeremy: It's called the 2-Series Active Tourer and I have no idea why they used the 2 Series name because BMW said that it's bigger than the 1-Series but that's just the least of our problems because the biggest problem for this BMW is it's front-wheel drive and I think a front-wheel drive BMW would ruin the brand's reputation of being the ultimate driving machine.

James: So, you're saying that you prefer BMWs to be more rear-wheel drive?

Jeremy: Of course. They always kept their promise not to make a front-wheel drive car.

James: You know the MINI?

Jeremy: Yeah...

James: They're made by BMW and consider them front-wheel drive so in truth, BMW did made a front-wheel drive car. Aren't you worried?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, to show you how problematic this front-wheel drive Bimmer is...here it is...Flappy Bird.

(audience laughing hysterically)

Richard: You still had Flappy Bird with you? I can't believe it you big fat moron.

Jeremy: (plays Flappy Bird) (POW!) See, I can only score 1 point in Flappy Bird. What's the point? How come anyone's good at this stupid game?

(audience laughing)

Richard: Here, let me show you. (playing Flappy Bird) (POW!) Okay, I got 9 points.

James: Let me try... (playing Flappy Bird) (POW!) Darn it! THIS IS HARD!!!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: See? That's what I'm explaining at. Driving a BMW 2-Series Active Tourer gets the same feeling as playing a game of Flappy Bird for a whole week without scoring a single point. Well, almost.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Still, I really hate that game. I'm suck at Flappy Bird. Good thing they've deleted it from the App Store.

Richard: Well, I never played this stupid game. Good thing I never got one.

James: So am I.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, the Department of Education said that they're open to the proposed 4-day school week of the MMDA and that gave me an idea because what if the school week is now 4 instead of the regular 5-day school week. Can you hardly imagine what would they do for one extra day of break?

Richard: Let me guess...three days of stuff to do while there are no classes?

Jeremy: There's more than that because. If it's Friday, kids are wearing PE uniform but when the 4-day school week is implemented, PE day is now Thursday and the only days that have no classes are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Imagine the possibilities, chaps! Imagine!

(audience laughing)

James: Oh wait! I see what you got there. Is it when teens go to mall or to the arcade or do whatever they like on their free time?

Richard: Or if they were blokes, they would rather waste time playing some online PC games at their nearest internet cafe. Right?!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, that topic is discussable but let's just hope that DepEd should OK to the proposed school week of the MMDA. Come on, kids are itching for an extra day of break. After all, if that come into fruition, it seems that Fridays will be part of the weekends! Yay for weekenders!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: That's the end of the news and oh, before we can say Valentine's Day to all, here's a brand new trailer for what I'm thinking to be the sequel to last year's MLP Equestria Girls. It's called MLP Equestria Girls 2: Rainbow Rocks. Here it is...

(ooohh)

Richard: Sequel? Of last year's?

James: Equestria Girls?!

Jeremy: Weren't you impressed? Anyway, time for one more stuff before we go. Here it is! Season 2 Episode 7 of Bravest Warriors. The one where Catbug's leadership skills to the test along with those cute critters alongside him. RoboChris included. He he he...



Jeremy: Well, I guess that's pretty much it. That's the end of the news!

The Geekdom's Guide To: Video Diary

HEY YOU! STOP! Before beginning this Geekdom's Guide to Video Diary, let me just say that I'm doing this for Bridgit Mendler and all of the cast and crew of Good Luck Charlie! After all, with this show coming to an end this week, we're going to miss all of Teddy Duncan's video diaries per episode as well as the misfits of the Duncan family.

Video diaries kinda more like writing stuff on your personal diary except this isn't about writing on it. It's about recording yourself on camera explaining about everything what happened today. Some people are making video diaries for themselves, others make one for a special part of the family. Even Teddy Duncan. Every end of a Good Luck Charlie episode, Teddy explains what happened in this episode shortly and concludes with the message GOOD LUCK CHARLIE. Yes, we're referring to that little girl named Charlie Duncan. Isn't she cute?

The best way to create a video diary is simple; best not to use old-school video cameras that does old-tech Betamax or VHS or whatever. Cameraphones or smartphones might be acceptable but the recommendation is a webcam. A laptop with a built-in webcam can be your best bet because they're more convenient than having one without it and waste cash buying some webcam accessories. Whichever you're on, all you need is confidence but don't worry because even nervous breakdowns or sputtering won't do a fatality on your video diary. Give em a little King's Speech trick. That would do.

The most important thing to do with your hard-worked video diary is simple; ALWAYS BACK THEM UP! A portable USB drive is too small for its capacity, even 16 or 32GB won't do a trick. Buy an external hard drive. It maybe big and expensive than portable USB drives but it has enough capacity to save your video diaries, just in case an event a computer with all your hard-worked video diaries gone wrong like for instance, virus attack, crash, or certain human errors. Perhaps any other Vic Reeves-related stupidity...(sigh)

And there we go. Video diaries are fun to preserve life's precious moments. I'm sure you Mendies out there know a thing or two about doing these.

Making a video diary...the geekdom way.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Seven

13th of February, 2014 - DAY 7

So far, with seven days passed on the Sochi 2014 games, the competition's heating up for the participating countries. The winter athletes never run out of their steam when it comes to going for the gold.

Martin Fourcade from France is the winner of the Men's Individual 20km while Justyna Kowalczyk made Poland proud after winning the Ladies' 10km Classic with the time of 28:17.8.

In the Men's Ski Slopestyle Final, it's a 1-2-3 finish for Team USA as Joss Christensen placed 1st while Gus Kenworthy placed 2nd, and Nicholas Goepper placed 3rd.

At the Team Relay Luge competition, Team Germany took home the gold medal with the 2:45.649 lap time.

At the side of China, they did very well at Sochi as Jianrou Li won the Ladies' 500m Short Track Finals and Hong Zhang won the Ladies' 1000m Speed Skating finals.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-7

Let's Do The News! (February 13, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- First turbocharged Ferrari since the F40, the new California T, set for next month's Geneva premiere, not only comes with a new front face but with a smaller, turbocharged V8 engine developing 552HP of power.

2015 Ferrari California T

- McLaren teases a new supercar called the 650S and this new supercar will slot between the MP4-12C and the P1 but what could it be? Find out in Geneva next month but my bet would be...a possible Ferrari F12 beater.

2015 McLaren 650S teaser

- A terrifying sinkhole occurred inside the famed Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA, swallowing eight Corvettes including those loaned from General Motors. No one is hurt from that car-tastrophe.

- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Has anyone played that stupid Flappy Bird game? Yes, I know, it maybe 2014's IT game but it's by far out the most stupid game ever played on a mobile phone. So stupid, you won't want to play this game forever. It's a good thing the creator of Flappy Bird decided to pull this game out from the App Store and Google Play because why? It's life-ruining!

- Nissan is back in the Philippines under a new and unified distributor called Nissan Philippines Inc. This new distributor promises to bring back Nissan's presence to the Philippine market and to kick-off the new distributor, Nissan PH will launch the Sylphy B17 and the Altima (ahem, they're talking about Teana) L33 next month. Specs for them remain secret but what could it be?

For a quick background: the Sylphy B17 was launched in Japan last December 2012 and it's powered by a 1.8L engine mated to a CVT gearbox. The Teana L33, inspired from America's Altima, was launched in Japan earlier this month and the only engine offered is a QR25DE engine mated to a new generation XTRONIC CVT gearbox.

- Actor Vhong Navarro, while sorting out the mess against Deniece Cornejo and Cedric Lee from last month's beating, denies rumors about a viral photo of a burnt p***s that some people say it's his. He's planning to return to his presenter duties on IT'S SHOWTIME but no exact timeframe is told.

FOLLOWUP: People who are close to Deniece Cornejo's, including her family and friends, challenges Vhong to man up and face the consequences of his actions.

TTFN!!!

Mitsubishi eK Space and Nissan Dayz Roox

Last year, the NMKV joint venture between Nissan and Mitsubishi spawned off the first of their offerings as part of the partnership between these two Japanese carmakers. For Mitsubishi, they unveiled their 3rd-generation eK Wagon, along with its sporty eK Custom model, which has graduated from semi-tall kei wagon into a full-fledged tall wagon that competes against Suzuki's Wagon R and Daihatsu's Move. Coinciding with the Mitsubishi eK Wagon, Nissan unveiled its equivalent, the Dayz, which shares the same components as the new eK Wagon.

So, continuing on their NMKV progress, they've launched new models designed and engineered by Nissan and Mitsubishi, competing on the likes of Honda's N BOX, Daihatsu's Tanto (which the third-generation was recently launched last year), and Suzuki's Spacia.

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space Custom

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space

2014 Nissan Dayz Roox

They've launched two brand new kei minivans which again done under the NMKV joint venture. For Mitsubishi, it's the all new eK Space while for Nissan, it's the all new Dayz Roox. So, what is it?

Yeah, so what is it?

Both the eK Space from Mitsubishi and Dayz Roox from Nissan are super height wagon-type kei cars that provides spaciousness and conveniences that you expect from its rivals. They do come with numerous features such as the Around View Monitor operated on its rear-view mirror, super TV-cut heat-insulated glass that reflects against 99% of the sun's harmful UV rays, and the trademark touch-screen automatic air-conditioning. The same things you found from last year's eK Wagon and Roox can now be seen on these taller spin-offs. Quite a math they done here.

Like most kei-cars, they have two styles, right?

Yes, they do. Like most kei cars, the eK Space and the Dayz Roox come with two different styles that suits their individuality. There is a standard model which looks a bit as simple as shopping at the 100 Yen Store and then there's a sportier version (for Mitsubishi, the eK Space Custom while for Nissan, the Dayz Roox Highway Star) if you're feeling a bit of a high-roller without the high and the roller.

So, what's it like to be on the inside?

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space interior

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space Custom interior

2014 Nissan Dayz Roox interior

On the inside, both the Dayz Roox and the eK Space aren't really bad at all for a small height car in its size. Of course, you still see numerous stuff derived from the Dayz or the eK Wagon but what truly made these two set the benchmarks in its class was its sliding rear seats and its height. The rear seats can be slided horizontally by about 260mm, the longest in its class. Then, there's the room height that sets the benchmark of having the longest room in its class by about 1400mm. That's tall enough for Little John to stretch his arms as high as he like. It's still a spacious tall wagon and you can fit in as much as what remains from your office cubicle.

What about performance?

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space

2014 Mitsubishi eK Space Custom

2014 Nissan Dayz Roox

Even though, they're so small, they do come up being a nippy car to play with. For all models, it comes with the 660cc engine producing 49PS of power and 59Nm of torque. Because they weigh about 920kg for base models, the power-to-weight ratio would be about 18.78kg/PS. With the CVT gearbox mated along with the host of fuel-efficient features like the new battery-assist system, fuel economy is about 26kmpl, as calculated via JC08 Mode standards.

No wait...that's not right...

You sure is, with the fuel economy of 26kmpl, both the eK Space and the Dayz Roox can't match the likes of the Tanto and the Spacia but on the plus side, that's about .8kmpl more than the Honda N BOX. Pricing aside, the base eK Space costs about 1,224,300 Yen while the base Dayz Roox costs around 1,240,050 Yen so you maybe wandering why is there a 16,000 Yen price gap on these two, well at least for now because they've been launched two months before Japan implementing its 8% vehicle acquisition tax and that's going to be more costly for customers looking for kei cars.

You know what, after a whole day checking out these two new models, I couldn't work it out at all...

Available colors (eK Space): White Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Black, Mica, Sakura Pink Metallic, Antique Gold Metallic, Chocolat Brown Pearl, and Purplish Navy Pearl.

Available colors (Dayz Roox): White Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Black Pearl, Silky Rose Metallic, Azalea Pink Metallic, Pink Gold Metallic, Mocha Brown Pearl, and Premium Purple Pearl.

Photo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation/Nissan Motor Corporation

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Six

12th of February, 2014 - DAY 6

At the Women's Downhill, Tina Maze of Slovenia and Dominique Gisin of Switzerland are tied and both won gold medals after sharing the same winning 1:41.57 time.

At the Pairs Free Skating, two Russian pairs got themselves a one-two combo as 1st place Russian pairs Maxim Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar scored 236.86 points overall from the judges while 2nd place Russian pairs Fedor Klimov and Ksenia Stolbova scored an overall 218.68 points from the judges.

Team Germany is the winning country of the Doubles Run Luge, ousting the likes of Austria and Latvia with the time of 1:38.933. Also, Eric Frenzel won the Individual Gundersen NH 10km Cross Country, scoring another gold medal for the Germans.

USA's Kaitlyn Farrington won the Ladies' Halfpipe Finals and Dutch's Speed Skater, Stefan Groothuis, won the Men's 1000m.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-6

Let's Do The News! (February 12, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Billy Ray Cyrus, the dad of Miley, releases what is thought to be the hip-hop sequel to "Achy Breaky Heart"

- Screen legend Shirley Temple Black died at the age of 85.

- Idina Menzel, the voice of Elsa from Disney's Frozen, will perform the movie's song LET IT GO at next month's Academy Awards.

- Willie Revillame called people who helped Tado...LIARS?!

- Honda will showcase the CIVIC TYPE R CONCEPT at next month's Geneva Motor Show, previewing Honda's signature hot hatch built for the European market. Don't expect the Type R name to come back to Japan, though. As stated, the final Type R model sold in Japan was the Civic Type R Euro FN2 and after all the stocks are gone, Type R is gone for good and not coming back to Japan ever again.

2014 Honda Civic Type R Concept teaser sketch

- The S-Class Coupe from Mercedes-Benz is the replacement to the CL-Class just as what the E-Class Coupe did to the CLK five years ago.

2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

- Audi revealed the hot version of the A1 supermini, the S1, in three-door and five-door Sportback guise. This new micro hot hatch from Audi is kinda more like a tamer version of the limited-run Audi A1 clubsport quattro but for this, it's powered by a 2.0L turbo engine generating 228HP of power and 272lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed gearbox.

2015 Audi S1 Sportback

- The dark days of Australian motor industry continues as Toyota Australia announced that they will stop making cars in 2017.

- THAT'S NOT GONE WELL. Honda Motor Co., Ltd announced a third recall for their hybrid models mated with the 7-speed DCT gearbox because of some...computer glitches. This affects to hybrid models of the new Honda Fit and its crossover equivalent, the Vezel.

- Character actor Roy Alvarez dies at the age of 63 due to cardiac arrest. Aside from being an actor, Alvarez is a director and scriptwriter on films, TV shows, and theater plays.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Five

11th of February, 2014 - DAY 5

Five days have passed since the Sochi 2014 games began and things are heating up in the frozen battleground of Sochi, Russia. 

Belarusian athlete Darya Domracheva cleared the Women's 10km Pursuit with a winning 29:30.7 time and a gold medal for the first time for Belarus in this year's Olympics.

The Cross Country games sees a huge margin set by the Norwegians as Maiken Caspersen Falla won the Ladies' Sprint Free Finals while in the Men's Sprint Free Finals, Ola Vigen Hattestad is declared the victor. 

The Canadians did very well on the final round of the Ladies' Ski Slopestyle Final courtesy of winning Canadian Dara Howell and 3rd placer Kim LaMarre.

In the Women's Singles Luge, the Germans scored a one-two punch as Natalie Geisenberger placed 1st and Tatiana Huefner placed 2nd. Not only that, another German scored gold but this time at the Ladies' Normal Hill Individual Finals. Carina Vogt is the winner.

In the Men's Halfpipe Finals, Swiss athlete Iouri Podladtchikov is the winner while in the Ladies' 500m Race, South Korean athlete Sang Hwa Lee is the victor.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-5

Top Gear S21E02

Top Gear S21E02

Two of the much awaited sportscars, the Alfa Romeo 4C and the McLaren P1, were the highlights of the second episode of Top Gear Season 21.

First up, Richard Hammond returns to Italy to take a spin on the Alfa Romeo 4C lightweight sportscars until Jeremy Clarkson issues him a challenge in an amphibious quadbike on a cross-country race in Lago Como, Italy. At the end, it's a proof that the Alfa 4C is better than an amphibous quadbike...just. After the battle, The Stig set off and the 4C posted a 1:24.8 lap time round the TG track.

Then, James May returns to the Middle East to investigate military vehicles.

Tom Hiddleston, the actor feared and respected for being Thor's evil brother, Loki, is the STAR IN A REASONABLY PRICED CAR and he posted a 1:49.9 lap time round the Top Gear Track in a wet condition.

After that, the episode concludes with Jeremy Clarkson arriving on Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, to take on the ultimate hybrid-engine wielding hypercar, the McLaren P1.

Next week on Top Gear; the Ukraine Small Car Road Trip, the Zenvo, and James Blunt.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Four

10th of February, 2014 - DAY 4

German skier Maria Hoefl-Riesch is declared the victor of the Women's Super Combined Slalom after posted a 2:34.62 time and winning the gold medal for her fellow German athletes while two of the French athletes for the Men's 12.5km Pursuit did a good show on the spectators. Martin Fourcade placed 1st place with a 33:48.6 time while his fellow French Jean Guillaume Beatrix placed 3rd with a time of 34:12.8.

On this day, Canada scores big time as Alex Bilodeau won the Men's Moguls after three consecutive rounds and Charles Hamelin cleared the Men's 1500m Finals after posting his 2:14.985 time and won the gold medal.

At the second round of the Men's 500m Speed Skating, the Dutch done a 1-2-3 punch combo at the finish line as Michel Mulder placed 1st, Jan Smeekens placed 2nd, and Ronald Mulder placed 3rd.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-4

Sochi 2014 Olympics runs until February 23, 2014 and as the slogan suggest: HOT. COOL. YOURS.

Six Nations 2014 - Round 2

The second round of the RBS Six Nations 2014 is a disaster for our hero rugby team, the Wales' WRU, as they got overwhelmed by Ireland at the score of 26 to 3, in favor of the Irish, and if that wasn't enough, the try from Ireland's Chris Henry and Paddy Jackson is worth more than enough to topple our Welsh heroes at the Aviva Stadium.

Highlights:

 

Full report here.

Well, that was a disappointing loss for our Welsh rugby heroes but when they face FFR in Round 3, things are going to be different from now on.

Also in Round 2 of the RBS Six Nations 2014, the England Rugby never let Scotland to score not even one point and because of such overwhelming progress, England wins at the score of 20-0. Tough luck for Scotland.

Highlights:



Full report here.

And lastly, France's FFR won the round against Italy's FIR at the score of 30-10.

Highlights:



Full report here.

So, Ireland and France are in the lead at the standings with two wins each while England and Wales had one win each and the teams with no wins each were Italy and Scotland. Tune in for Round 3 of the RBS Six Nations 2014 soon!

And one more thing before I go: GO WALES!!!

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Three

9th of February, 2014 - DAY 3

Matthias Mayer from Austria won the Men's Downhill while Slovakia's Anastasiya Kuzmina posted a 21:06.8 time and won the gold medal at the Women's 7.5km Sprint Biathlon. In the Men's Skiathlon 15km Classic + 15km Free, Switzerland's Dario Cologna posted a 1:08:15.4 time and took home the gold medal.

At the Team Ice Dance Free Dance, the Russians did a very good job on that portion of the Winter Olympics and they took home the Gold Medal. That's a score for Team Russia. 

On the Men's Singles Run 4 (the Luge portion of the games), a German named Felix Loch ousted the competition with an amazing 3:27.526 time, winning a gold medal for his German winter athletes while the final round of the Men's Normal Hill Ski Jumping for Individuals, Poland's Kamil Stoch scored an impressive 278 points from the judges and scored him a gold medal.

Jamie Anderson from Team USA won the gold medal for her win at the Ladies' Slopestyle Finals while at the Ladies' 3000m Speed Skating, a Dutch named Irene Wust blown the competition away with her 4:00.34 time.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-3

Stars of Chicago Auto Show 2014

Until February 17, 2014 in the McCormick Place at Chicago, Illinois, this year's Chicago Auto Show featured some of the brightest stars in the world of cars.

Premiered for the first time at this year's show was Volkswagen's GRC Beetle, which is a rally-spec version of the 21st Century Beetle, then tuner Lingenfelter modified the new Chevy Silverado truck to become the Reaper, the Chevrolet Corvette C7 will be Black Widow's car of choice in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, 2015 Chrysler 200 by Mopar, 2015 Lincoln Navigator which is a bit of a minor change with new tech, sixth-generation Subaru Legacy premiered to celebrate 25 years of Subaru Legacy, an electric version of the All New Soul, and so much more.

More info: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/07/we-obsessively-covered-the-2014-chicago-auto-show/

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - Cizeta V16T

The Goodwood Hill Climb, famous for its annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, is considered a Gran Turismo-exclusive racetrack because the folks from Gran Turismo granted exclusive rights from the Goodwood FoS committee to feature this track in Gran Turismo 6.

At a moment notice, we will try out a car that is branded a "Gran Turismo exclusive", a real-life car you can only play on the Gran Turismo franchise and nowhere else. Think of it like Brainiac's Things You Can Run Through except this isn't the part where an idiot may or may not run through a certain object.



Today, it's the Gran Turismo-only Cizeta V16T. Since its first appearance in GT4, this rare V16-powered, long-forgotten, Italian supercar designed by Marcelo Gandini is considered a Gran Turismo exclusive and even in its latest appearance via Gran Turismo 6, you know that no other game would feature it...because the Cizeta V16T is a Gran Turismo exclusive and it's a general fact.

The supercar that should have been will run through the Goodwood Hill Climb but at what time will the V16T post?









It's a 0:52.971 lap time! As the name implies, this V16-powered engine mounted in the middle produced 568PS of power and mated with a 5-speed manual, its 0-60mph time is on the 4-second mark with the 204mph top speed. People say it's a fake Diablo but in general fact, both the Lamborghini Diablo and the Cizeta were designed by the same man. Thank goodness.

It maybe similar to the Diablo but it sure is quick for a very rare and legendary Italian supercar few enthusiasts knew about.

The Cizeta V16T - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.