Suzuki New Landy (SC26/SNC26)

2011 Suzuki Landy

2011 Suzuki Landy

Following the launch of the new Nissan Serena C26 since November 2010, it seems that others might think that Suzuki may not get the OEM version of the Serena that is the Landy, which was launched in 2007, the same year when the Nissan Serena C25 faced a minor change. However, Suzuki never forgot the memo that the new Landy will follow and it was based on the Nissan Serena C26.

Based on the Nissan Serena C26, the second-generation Suzuki Landy is now made even more economical and ecological, giving a status of a true eco car just like other Japanese eco-cars do thanks to the equipped MR20DD engine with idling stop system. The idling stop system allows the new Landy to automatically shut off the MR20DD engine while the car stops. This system provided a maximum fuel efficiency of 15.4km/L and it's approved for Japan's Eco-Car Genzei system, which gets a tax cut of 75% off.

My thoughts about the Landy:
Since the new Landy is now based on the Nissan Serena C26, every eco detail remains the same except the badging from Nissan to Suzuki because the Landy is the OEM of the Nissan Serena.

Both the new Landy and the new Serena toppled the Noah, Voxy, Stepwgn, and Stepwgn Spada in terms of fuel efficiency, but not enough against the Mazda Premacy.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Some tweaks...

On December 21, 2010, Sony updated the Gran Turismo 5 via version 1.05. This GT5 update includes some of the following:

- Online dealership (same as used car but changes randomly every day, I think)

- Seasonal Events (Polyphony Digital-hosted events open to all GT5 players)

- Racing online gain cash and experience

- backup the save data (in case of emergency)

- Personal BGM (Menu) now active. Any music stored in the PS3 can be played during the menu

- The elusive Red Bull X1 Prototype now changed its name into Red Bull X2010, still no one got a hold of this "King of Gran Turismo cars"

Source: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/gt5news/d5516.html

Speaking of the updates; two original soundtracks will be out tomorrow in Japan. First off is the GRAN TURISMO 5 ORIGINAL GAME SOUNDTRACK, which is a 2-disc compilation of hand-picked in-game BGMs, including the GT5 version of Moon Over the Castle and 5OUL ON D!SPLAY. The second one, GRAN TURISMO 5 ORIGINAL GAME SOUNDTRACK Piano Performed by Lang Lang has some of the classical songs straight from GT5, made possible by the world renowned Lang Lang. I know, both of these GT5 OST may come out tomorrow or so. I hope Comic Alley stock both of these GT5 OSTs

For foreign customers, CDJapan is recommended if you guys want to place orders on both of these...

GRAN TURISMO 5 ORIGINAL GAME SOUNDTRACK: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VRCL-4011

GRAN TURISMO 5 ORIGINAL GAME SOUNDTRACK Piano Performed by Lang Lang: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ESCC-28

Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt

2011 Chevrolet Volt interior

Despite its status as an electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt is not merely a full-fledged electric car because it combines an electric motor and a 4-cylinder internal combustion engine, but any reasons about Chevrolet's full fledged eco-car remains slim for now.

The Chevrolet Volt seems to be different from the 2007 Volt Concept that was appeared in the 2007 North American International Auto Show at Detroit and possibly be the spiritual successor of the sacred GM EV1 electric vehicle. You might thought that the age of electric cars is dead, but think again, the age of electric vehicles has just been reborn thanks to the inception of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, Nissan Leaf, and other plug-in hybrids coming to the future, and the Chevrolet Volt has a high hopes to become the most efficient hybrids in the world.

Two worlds combined into one because the Chevrolet Volt has an electric drive unit and a 1.4L Internal Combustion engine combined for various purposes. The electric drive unit has a power output of 150HP and the torque output of 273 lb-ft. The Internal Combustion engine has a weaker power output of 80HP and if the electric drive unit's battery is out of charge, this engine will serve as a backup. While an electric charge was its first priority, the gasoline engine equipped on the Volt will serve for emergency purposes only.

There are six colors available for the Volt; Black, Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat, Cyber Gray Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Viridian Joule Tricoat, and White Diamond Tricoat.

The Volt's initial availability starts at California (Los Angeles, San Francisco), Washington D.C., Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Texas this month. Other regions of the U.S. will follow next year or so.

My thoughts about the Volt:
The Volt might be beaten by the Nissan Leaf in terms of its EPA ratings, but on the brighter side, this is much more fuel efficient than the Toyota Prius. Much disappointing about the Volt is its initial pricing of about $40,280 (I'm thinking about over 3.5 or 4 million Philippine Pesos), which means people would go shopping for the Nissan Leaf instead. The Volt's price tag really put a hole on our wallets but on its brighter side, this electric vehicle can go anywhere it wants. It's just what the North American TV commercial said, we are nomads. This electric car can go further...

It's disappointing that Covenant Car Company doesn't have plans to bring the Chevrolet Volt to the Philippines until our government approves the law to sell electric cars.



Photo: General Motors

My Vitz RS...

Vitz RS at Gion, Kyoto

Seriously, the second generation Toyota Vitz (Yaris) RS is my Gran Turismo 5 starter car. I started this car because of the starter pricing. Honestly, I was planning to start GT5 with a Suzuki Swift Sport but the Toyota Vitz RS was my ideal pick because I can challenge this rookie at the Sunday Cup, a race for FF vehicles (especially the Vitz RS), and if I leveled up, the one make race for all Vitz and Yaris models.

Vitz RS vs. the world at Fuji Speedway

Just like it said in the game, the Vitz RS is fun to drive but difficult to master in the eyes of a newcomer...

Vitz RS at Suzuka

Vitz RS at Suzuka

Not only the second generation Vitz RS was my first GT5 car, it's my first Premium Tier car...

Vitz RS at Gion, Kyoto

I had a good start with this car, not sure how far my Vitz RS could go...

A Trezia tS is in the works?

Despite the Subaru Trezia is a rebadged version of the Toyota Ractis Verso, it still garners more attention than its original twin. Needless to say, most Japanese car enthusiasts prefer the front face of the Trezia rather than the new Toyota Ractis/Verso-S, and I don't really know why...

I read something in an article found at Carview:

http://carview.co.jp/news/0/138959/

In translation: Subaru's planning an STi version of the Subaru Trezia. This Trezia tuned by STi will be unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon and specs for this Trezia tS remains unclear...

If went into limited production, this Trezia could fly...like a fighter jet...

James Bang's 2nd Mission (and happy birthday to Pooh!)

What just happened in Banana Split since December 18?

- John Sweet Lapuz guests for this week's Balitang Siksik Showbiz Edition

- Simbang Gabi jokes

- James Bang (Ryan Bang) is back for his second mission, for this time monitor M's (Pooh's) coin jar with the Bang Webcam

- Maja Salvador showcases the three most O.A. stuff in "Ang O.A. Mo!"

- The Banana Split boys visit some high school for some dances

- A very special Show It pits the Banana Split gang vs. Pooh's close friends in celebration of Pooh's birthday!

THE IDOLM@STER Vocal Collection 1 & 2

The hit video game, THE IDOLM@STER (日本名：アイドルマスター), is not just more on just rhythms, challenges, hopes, dreams, and struggles between the talents from 765 Productions, its more on just music to appeal a massive amount of fans all across Japan. Henceforth, this video game was the "Japan Original" because it combines dating sim and rhythm at one unique package.

Not only it garners a series of IDOLM@STER titles via Live for You, SP for PSP, and the follow-up Dearly Stars for DS, but it also garners most audio CDs to bring the IDOLM@STER experience at the comfort of every otakus' homes.

These Vocal Collection CDs packs the best IDOLM@STER songs from the drama CDs and DJCDs, plus a very special one. As most Japanese otakus love this series, these Vocal Collection CDs can be a perfect part of the IDOLM@STER collection. I'm sure why this game garners its "Japan Originality" as the best game in Japan before the rise of other video games in Japan chasing its status as the Japan Original.

TRACK LISTINGS FOR 1:
1. J☆U☆M☆P
2. アナタのヒトコト
3. SHINING STAR★彡
4. ストレートラブ! (765PRO Ver.)
5. 白い犬
6. Melted Snow (961PRO Ver.)
7. FO(U)R
8. ストレートラブ! (天海春香ソロVer.)
9. 白い犬 (高槻やよいソロVer.)
10. Melted Snow (四条貴音ソロVer.)
11. J☆U☆M☆P (星井美希ソロVer.)
12. CDラジ☆ショッピングマスター Vol.1

TRACK LISTINGS FOR 2:
1. Virgin Load
2. Looking For Love
3. 仲良しでいようね□
4. ストレートラブ! (961PRO Ver.)
5. 黒い犬
6. Melted Snow (765PRO Ver.)
7. FO(U)R (REMIX-A)
8. Looking For Love (天海春香ソロ Ver.)
9. ストレートラブ! (星井美希ソロ Ver.)
10. 黒い犬 (我那覇響ソロ Ver.)
11. Melted Snow (三浦あずさソロ Ver.)
12. FO(U)R (REMIX-A) (如月千早ソロ Ver.)
13. CDラジ☆ショッピングマスター forever...