Sunday, December 5, 2010

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Since Summer 2010, Cadillac unveiled the new CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe for those who are looking for grand touring comfort whatever they want. They loved the new Cadillac CTS-V Coupe because of its aggressive character and a supercharged V8 engine. If I choose between the Caddy CTS-V Coupe or the Audi RS5, I would choose the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe because it has more horsepower than the Audi RS5. Hah, no other European high-performance coupes can take out the CTS-V Coupe.

With the CTS-V comes with the Sedan and Coupe, there's a newcomer to the Cadillac CTS-V family, and it was based on the CTS Sport Wagon. A CTS-V Sport Wagon? Would that be even possible? This high-performance wagon isn't quite a possible strategy for General Motors, but I think this is more of a threat to the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate. With the E63 AMG Estate's power output is 518HP, then the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon's power is 556HP! Now this made-in-North-America high-performance sports tourer has something shared from its sedan and coupe variants to take out these Euro-born monsters.

The CTS-V carries the same features from the CTS-V sedan and coupe such as control arm front suspension, Multi-Link rear suspension, Brembo brakes, dual-mode Magnetic Ride Control, Bose 5.1 surround sound system, standard navigation system, and a choice of two transmission types; a 6-speed 6L90 automatic or a 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual. Most enthusiasts prefer the manual variant because the manual transmission is part of being a true sports car and this can also be applied on the CTS-V Wagon.

My thoughts about the CTS-V Wagon:

Is it fine to have a high performance wagon for me? I think this is awkward for me but who cares, this is a American high-performance wagon. This will promise to blow away the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate at the inch of its power output. This CTS-V Wagon is one angry fire-breathing sports wagon!

Will this be a hit? I can't tell...

Photo: General Motors

Honda CR-Z at GT5







Seems that the world's first sport hybrid car from Honda made its first appearance at a racing video game, especially Gran Turismo 5.

Driving the Honda CR-Z in Gran Turismo 5 feels like I'm driving the CR-Z for real.

Boy, am I glad that I had my first taste on the world's first hybrid sport car. Most say its a dull ride, others said this is a true eco warrior.

The best 2010 cars according to Top Gear

It's almost the end of the year, and it seems everyone's favorite car magazine (and TV car magazine show), Top Gear has the list of their best cars of 2010. Here's the list:

Car of the Year and Small Car of the Year - CITROEN DS3

Hypercar of the Year - KOENIGSEGG AGERA

Cabrio of the Year - MASERATI GRANCABRIO

Grand Tourer of the Year - BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT

Hot Hatch of the Year - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R

Family Car of the Year - BMW 520d TOURING

Engine of the Year - FIAT TWIN AIR

Coupe of the Year - PEUGEOT RCZ

Luxury Car of the Year - JAGUAR XJ

Jeremy's Car of the Year - PAGANI ZONDA R

James's Car of the Year - BUGATTI VEYRON SUPERSPORT 

Richard's Car of the Year - PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS


Seems that Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond never get their hands dirty to make the list of the best cars of 2010...

I wonder if someone from Top Gear Philippines made their own list of best 2010 cars...





"I'm Bang... James Bang"

What happened in the December 4 episode on ABS-CBN's Banana Split:

- fresh showbiz news at Balitang Siksik Showbiz Edition (Yeah, glad to be back, Angelica...)

- More Christmas jokes

- Kuya Keem (John Prats) tells more on basketball. Some basketball maniac interrupts Kuya Keem and Kuya Keem challenges this basketball maniac to a one-on-one battle. Kuya Keem won. Now you know.

- Banana Split commercial spoof! They spoofed the Vaseline sachet commercial, gagged as Gaseline

- Ryan Bang spoofs James Bond as "James Bang"

- some dances

We had fun at the first episode of Laugh Out Loud

The new show, Laugh Out Loud, is the next big thing since Just For Laughs and Wow Mali (now Wow Meganon). It was hosted by the charismatic Luis Manzano and Alodia Gosiengfiao (most anime fans remember her as the Cosplay Queen of the Philippines and she was "aIDOLa", one of the Ani-Mates from Animax Asia) and features nothing more but a variety of gags and pranks that made them go LOL.

In the pilot episode, Luis and Alodia invited a group of guests such as Ketchup, Empoy, Alwyn Uytingco, JM De Guzman, and Alyson Lualhati as the Laugh Team for the week. Pranks include Papa Picture (where a female gets one male to get pictured together), Jurassic I.D. (you can't gain access with a super large, carton-made, ID card), Parte People (use different body parts to gain access), Celeb Taxi (who's going to the CR after long taxi trips with a guest star driver?), Please Evacuate (someone at the office gets a surprise visit the CR!), and Electricute (someone who seats at the bench was unknowingly shocked by electric sounds).

That show is much more like Just For Laughs because of the gags pulled to trick other people for fun. I love it! I laughed at it! I enjoyed it!

Hope I can tune in next week for more gags and pranks on LOL!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Ford Explorer Mk.5 (U502)

2011 Ford Explorer

From mid-size SUV to full-size crossover SUV, the new fifth generation Ford Explorer is now evolved to take on all sorts of grounds and it will be the best Explorer ever made after months of countless teaser photos.

Consider this a rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 or the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Explorer's full model change surprised us with its new unibody structure, new engine choices, new conveniences, and everything that is new to the latest Explorer.

On the design flow, the new Ford Explorer sports a corporate grille on the front, staying true to its roots. On the side view, the new Explorer looks more like a Toyota Fortuner, the Philippines' favorite Toyota full size SUV. On the rear view, what else? The rear view looks sharp at every angle. With its sharp design, the new Explorer will topple away against the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The main engine on the new Explorer is the 3.5L TiVCT V6 engine. This V6 engine that powers the new Explorer is the better than its predecessor thanks to its EPA rating of 17MPG City/25MPG Highway. Its power output is 290HP/6500rpm and the torque output is 255lb.-ft/4100rpm. This engine is much more powerful than the GMC Acadia but not powerful enough against the Toyota Land Cruiser 200. The fifth-generation Explorer comes with the Intelligent 4WD System that provides exceptional traction at every corner. There is also a Terrain Management System that allows the driver to take a pick on four options; Normal, Mud/Ruts, Sand or Grass/Gravel/Snow. Choosing the right option on the right terrain is the key to attain better cruising for the new Explorer.

While destined to be the safest SUV built for the American family, the new Ford Explorer has a wide array of safety and security features that provides the peace of mind for the owner and family. First off, there's Curve Control. The Curve Control system is a world's first, it will automatically slows down the new Explorer in case of an incoming tough curve. Next, is the Adaptive Cruise Control system that functions like conventional cruise control system, except now, let the sensors do the cruise control for you. The innovative Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert is a smart feature to monitor blind spots and seeks approaching vehicles. There is even a Collision Warning system that detects slow moving traffic and it flashes a warning signal. The biggest safety feature is the world's first inflatable air bag seat belts. There are so many safety features made the new Ford Explorer the safest SUV built for everyone.


In the convenience side, the new Ford Explorer provides exceptional hospitality for everyone. The third-row seats can be easily folded at the touch of a button without the stress. For entertainment purposes, the MyFord Touch is included, keeping you entertained with SYNC, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Advanced Navigation System. To keep the passengers entertained, there is even a Dual Headrest DVD Players that allows them to watch their favorite movies everywhere even when they're stuck at traffic No wonder the interior of the new Explorer is built to be on its premium status.

My thoughts about the Explorer:

I just really hope this new Explorer may come to the Philippines soon and it will be bought by wealthy people because of such heavy pricing and premium features that provide a touch of class among the rich and famous, even politicians. Consider this an American alternative to the Nissan Patrol Royale when it arrives in the Philippines soon.

The new Ford Explorer is the best Explorer ever made to surprise its rivals with its convenience, the safest features, and the premium status only Ford has to offer. Think of Grand Canyon, Mt. Pinatubo, Dubai, Hokkaido, and other places where tough terrain are a common oddity, this Explorer is a perfect bet for off-road enthusiasts!


Photo: Ford Motor Company

On the 12-03-10 episode of Banana Split...

On the 12-03-10 episode of Banana Split...

- Our newest superheroes, The Amazing Microwave Pandesal Rangers, springing in action. For those who haven't heard of it, this is about four siblings (Jayson Gainza, Jason Francisco, Nina Jose, and Badji Mortiz) who want to start their own baking business after their father's death. With the encounter of some mysterious microwave oven and when they put the flour on the oven, something strange happening to them and transformed into our breakfast's newest superheroes that is "THE AMAZING MICROWAVE PANDESAL RANGERS". On this episode, the Pandesal Rangers trying to stop the man who is going to commit suicide. After that, some villain saw the Pandesal Rangers, and the villain approached our heroes because of the microwave oven. Will the Rangers survive against this enemy? Find out in Monday!

- Kuya Keem (John Prats) tells more about Obesity and Igor Stojokovic Krystic (Ryan Bang) invents some crazy inventions such as the "i-Barbel 4" and "Dehydration Treadmill". The i-Barbel 4 part is darn hilarious.

- Jayson Gainza tells what another new jobs will our famous Pinoy boxer can take on such as being an interrogator, getting the buko, and becoming a MMDA officer.

- The Melason tandem is at it again as Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco (as Cheche and Monmon) tries to record a domino dropping sequence for YouTube. Oops! Cheche forgot to hit "record" on the video camera! LOL