Goodbye, Pinyoko (AGAIN) :-(

December 3, 2010 marks the finale of Kokey@Ako. What?! Aw man! We had fun with our alien pal!

Kokey@Ako ending

Aw man! We had all the good times with Bruce (Vhong Navarro), Princess/Jackie (Toni Gonzaga), Josa (Melai Cantiveros), Adonis (Jason Francisco), Kekay, and everyone's favorite alien buddy, Kokey!

The ending is simple. The final battle is set at the mansion where our friends now reside after Jackie was reunited with her family. Annie showed up and wants to take out Jackie and her family! The battle ends where Jackie used the mirror to reflect Annie's alien power against her.

After the battle, it was the day where Bruce and Jackie were finally married.

I never knew our alien buddy left before Christmas again! Just like the past three years when he left before Christmas!

Aw great! Now we're going to miss the fun filled adventures of Kokey and friends.

Nissan Leaf (ZE0)

2011 Nissan LEAF

The Leaf, Nissan's first-of-its-kind electric hybrid vehicle is the key to attain Nissan's brighter future for creating eco cars that serve as the mainframe to achieve a vision for the better tomorrow. With the rise of electric cars such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan steps up to the electric car competition with the Nissan Leaf, to see which electric car reign supreme.

As an environmentally conscious car enthusiast. I like the way how the Nissan Leaf behaves. Look at the back, no tailpipes! The absence of the tailpipes is the main purpose for Nissan's Zero Emission program. This program will achieve a better tomorrow with the Leaf. Everyone knows how to recharge the Leaf. Charging to the Leaf's front is somewhat an originality.

The Leaf is powered with the electric powered EM61 motor that achieves the highest electric economy of 124km/L. 124km/L! This electric car is so amazing, you can go further every time before the battery drains! Think about going around the world with the Leaf. This is just perfect to achieve its true eco-car status. Aside from its eco-car status, there is a 100% tax cut thanks to Japan's "Eco Car Genzei" system. The plug to charge the Leaf's EM61 motor is 200V, so you need an 200V outlet to charge the Leaf. Plug the wrong side and boom! You're hopeless to charge the Leaf until you find another 200V outlet to charge it!

My thoughts about the Leaf:
I'm afraid that NMPI or Universal Motors Corporation can't bring the Nissan Leaf yet until our government approves the law to sell electric vehicles to our country. The question really is, can the Department of Environment and Natural Resources talk about the Nissan Leaf. Of course this is an electric car, imagine how many students from Philippines' most successful universities such as the UP, De La Salle, Ateneo, Far Eastern University, San Beda, and other universities take advantage of the Nissan Leaf for their science reports to discuss it in front. I'm sure these students may pass because of the remarkable inspiration of the Nissan Leaf.

The Leaf is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in mid-December, following with North America and Europe. Speaking of Europe, the Leaf won the 2010-2011 Europe Car of the Year, outwitting Europe's finest such as the Citroen C3/DS3 and Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

This electric car defines "biri-biri" to a new level...

Official Site:

Japan: http://ev.nissan.co.jp/
North America: http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/index
Global :http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/

Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB) at GT5

I love this kind of WRX STi! Even at Gran Turismo 5, it still runs like the real thing! The Subaru WRX STi 4-door is truly an eye-catching Subaru built for thrill-seekers. I gotta admit it, I love the rear wing of the GVB. It represents tradition from the past Impreza STi models from the first to second generation (the generation underwent two facelifts).

Driving the WRX STi 4-door (GVB) on GT5 feels like I'm driving the real thing! I even try to beat the car's Nurburgring Lap Time of 7:55:000 by myself, but everyone wants to beat that time with that car.

I really love to say that the WRX STi 4-door is much better than the original 5-door WRX STi!

Powerhouse of Proton Concepts at the 2010 KLIMS!

Just like Lotus showing off a powerhouse of concept cars at the Paris Motor Show 2010, Malaysian automaker Proton unveiled a powerhouse of five concept cars at this year's Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show.

2010 Proton Tuah Concept

2010 Proton Lukiu Concept

2010 Proton Lekir Concept

2010 Proton Katsuri Concept

2010 Proton Jebat Concept

First was the Tuah Concept, a medium sedan concept that if once heads to production, it will ruin the Kia Forte and Hyundai Avante MD for sure. 

Second was the Lekiu Concept, a crossover based on the Proton Exora MPV. 

Third was the Lekir Concept. Eh? A Proton Concept Sports Car based on the axed Lotus Europa? I know that the Europa is gone, but why they would made such a too-little, too-late, concept car based on some axed British sports car? Never mind, still it looks handsome.

Fourth was the Katsuri Concept. I'm not sure about this concept car but it hints on the Proton Saga's minor change coming to Malaysia since the Saga MC unveiled at the Thai Motor Expo 2010. 

Last but truly my favorite, the Jebat Concept, a sportier concept sedan based on the recently launched, Mitsubishi Lancer EX-based, Inspira sedan. I love the way it looks. So cool!

These concept cars were named after the Malaccan Hang (warrior) in Malaysian history. It represents Malaysian quality for the brand and shapes up the brand's image. If most of these go into production, best to hide our cars!

Photo: Paultan.org

Eh? Another new Volkswagen PH distributor in the works?

Read this scoop:

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/so-who-s-bringing-in-volkswagen

I thought that PGA Cars will take the distribution rights for Volkswagen, but the Ayala Group joining the turf on who's going to be the new Volkswagen distributor in the Philippines.

Who's it gonna be, anyway? The answer will be revealed in the near future...

What makes the new Accent a Guy's License?

Remember the TV ad aired from Korea

You heard it. Gentlemen are too old and boys are too young. The new Hyundai Accent is really targeted for real guys in their right age. As if, GUYS ONLY!

About last night, the new Hyundai Accent RB is finally in the Philippine market!

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/price-of-hyundai-accent-revealed

Get it? GUYS ONLY! FOR PHILIPPINE GUYS ONLY!

Two engines are offered; a 1.4L Gamma DOHC engine and a 1.6L Gamma DOHC engine. The 1.4L variant is armed with a 5-speed manual and a 1.6L variant comes with a 4-speed auto. Suggested Retail Price starts at 588,000 to 808,000 Pesos. Sounds cheap! Can be a perfect taxi!

I just really hope for the 1.6L GDi variant or the CRDi variant. But anyway, time to play the song Cold Rock the Mic by Apollo 440! As you may know, the song Cold Rock the Mic by Apollo 440 was the song played on the new Hyundai Accent Korean commercial.

The new Hyundai Accent is really a GUY'S LICENSE!

Photo: Top Gear Philippines

Cocoa or Lapin?

Suzuki's Alto Lapin

and Daihatsu's Mira Cocoa

Both are JDM, both are kei cars, and both are targeted for the young and fashionable women. In my feminine side, I wonder which of these are the best?

CASE ONE:

The Suzuki Alto Lapin is a spin-off of the world-famous Suzuki Alto and it doesn't share the Alto's mainframe. This car was launched in 2002 and followed with a full model change in late 2008. There used to be a Mazda OEM of the Lapin, called the Spiano, but it was discontinued after the Lapin gained its second-generation. Two engine types are offered on the Lapin; a Natural Aspiration K6A engine and a Turbocharged K6A engine. Whoa! A turbocharged Lapin! Seems that someone would go for the Lapin rather than the Cocoa because of the turbo variant!

There is something cute about the Lapin, the interior... When you start the Lapin's engine, you will be greeted by some animated display on the Lapin's dashboard. How cute!

CASE TWO:

The Cocoa is a spin-off car from the Daihatsu Mira. Although it replaces the Mira Gino and the Move Latte, feminine side is always go first for the Mira Cocoa. Unlike the Lapin, the Cocoa is equipped with just only one engine, the KF-VE engine. No turbocharger included. On the bright side, this engine has more power output than the Lapin's Natural Aspiration K6A engine, but not quite fuel efficient than its rival even when both of them have CVT. There is one feature that the Lapin didn't have; the back monitor equipped on the Cocoa's room mirror.

For styling, I think I'll go for the Daihatsu Cocoa, but for performance-wise women, the Suzuki Lapin takes the bet. It depends on how Japanese women think about these two super-cute kei cars targeted for a certain young Japanese woman.