The big scoop today:
Top Gear returns on February for Series 21
As announced, the hit motoring TV show, Top Gear, is set to return on BBC Two and BBC Two HD on the 2nd of February, 2014. That's right. It's Series 21 of BBC Top Gear! Back on February 2...which is coincidentally the day of the Super Bowl. He he he...
What's new on PS3's iM@S Channel?
So what's new on the iM@S Channel only on Playstation3? Ah yes, Mini Album #10 featuring Azusa Miura (with special appearances by Dearly Stars' Ai Hidaka) is now available on The iDOLM@STER SHINY TV game as a DLC! Like the others, it costs 1,500 Yen and also comes with a special PS3 theme featuring yours truly, Azusa Miura.
Also available on the iM@S Channel is G4U Volume 8.
The SLEX-NLEX joint road
Looks like in the near future, your travel time from Balintawak to Santa Mesa will be improved than what you expect because the MPTDC and the PNCC collaborated for a construction of a NLEX Metro Expressway Link Project or "Connector Road", where it bridges the roads from NLEX to SLEX. The project will be completed in two years time and it costs P1.59 billion to commence this.
Report: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/motoring-news/coming-soon-nlex-slex-connector-road-for-your-driving-pleasure
Tarantino's The Hateful Eight axed because of script leak
Following the moments after betrayal results in script leak, famed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino decided that he will not direct "The Hateful Eight". Well, that was unexpecting...
Report: http://www.imdb.com/news/ni56696884/
Pacquiao to fight Bradley...again
As reported and finalized for the time being, People's Champ Manny Pacquiao will be revisiting against the opponent who knocked him out in the first half of 2012. That's right, he'll be facing off against Timothy Bradley again, reports said.
Report: http://www.fhm.com.ph/daily-reads/news/pacquiao-fight-april-12-timothy-bradley
TTFN!!!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Suzuki Landy (C26) 2014 Minor Change
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| 2014 Suzuki Landy |
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| 2014 Suzuki Landy |
The Nissan Serena-derived Suzuki Landy, currently on its C26 generation, gets a minor change and what can you expect on the latest minor change? To find out, let's look back at the Nissan Serena C26 minor change because just in case someone had an amnesia for no reasons. However, this is no time to looking back because here are the details:
Thanks to the Nissan Serena C26's minor change last month; Suzuki managed to borrow one of these and for the latest version it inherits what just the Serena C26 did; new headlamps, a new front grille, new alloy wheels, and new LED rear combination brake lamps with an S-shaped design. On the inside, it still looks intact to me. The 2014 Landy is available only as an 8-seater and with that, it comes with 14 seat configurations to choose from depending on the scenario the user faces.
Again, like the Nissan Serena C26 minor change, the 2014 Landy's MR20DD engine along with its smart and simple S-HYBRID system, now has an improved fuel economy of 16kmpl under Japan's JC08 Mode standards.
For added safety, the latest update now comes with Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), AVM (Around View Monitor) with MOD (Moving Object Detection), Emergency Assist for pedal misapplication and Driver Attention Alert.
The entry level 2.0S model with 2WD layout starts at 2,241,750 Japanese Yen while the top-end 2.0G with 4WD starts at 2,995,650 Japanese Yen.
Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
What's in our Car Town garage today? (January 21, 2014)
What's in our Car Town garage today?
2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale
This particular 458 is not like any other 458 you know and loved. The all new 458 Speciale redefines the benchmark as the ultimate mid-engined V8 Ferrari ever made. Made to succeed from the 430 Scuderia, this ultimate 458 features a wide array of aerodynamic upgrades inspired from the track-only 458 Challenge as well as the uprooted 4.5L V8 developing 605PS of power output and 540Nm of torque, making it a track-ready, road-legal, supercar on your day-to-day basis.
2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale
This particular 458 is not like any other 458 you know and loved. The all new 458 Speciale redefines the benchmark as the ultimate mid-engined V8 Ferrari ever made. Made to succeed from the 430 Scuderia, this ultimate 458 features a wide array of aerodynamic upgrades inspired from the track-only 458 Challenge as well as the uprooted 4.5L V8 developing 605PS of power output and 540Nm of torque, making it a track-ready, road-legal, supercar on your day-to-day basis.
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| 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale |
1911 Marmon Wasp
The first person to win the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 is Ray Harroun and the #32 Marmon Wasp he raced. While the racer's inaugural victory not only placed his mark on the history books, the first racing machine that won its first Indy 500 race also done it. The legend that started it all is still remembered by many and with many decades passed, racing historians still coveted this car for its roots that can be traced to today's IndyCars.
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| 1911 Marmon Wasp |
1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator
This bewildering muscle car from Ford Motor Company's Mercury brand is worth a swagger in its own bragging rights at the streets and at the drag strips. The Cougar Eliminator comes with the 428 Super Cobra Jet engine delivering over 400HP of power and with a wide array of visual features, your best hope when you encounter one is to stay out of harm's way. This muscle car sure knows who's the Boss of the roads...
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| 1970 Mercury Cougar Eliminator |
Monday, January 20, 2014
Let's Do The News! (Jan 20, 2014)
The big news today...
Seattle vs. Denver for SB48
After Seattle Seahawks defeated San Francisco 49ers at the score of 23-17 and Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots at the score of 26-16, it's official! Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York City this February 2! So, who will you be rooting for?
Barrett-Jackson 2014
Another year, another Barrett-Jackson auctions as the biggest car auction event was held in Scottsdale. Here are the biggest hitters of this year's auctions:
Seattle vs. Denver for SB48
After Seattle Seahawks defeated San Francisco 49ers at the score of 23-17 and Denver Broncos defeated the New England Patriots at the score of 26-16, it's official! Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XLVIII in New York City this February 2! So, who will you be rooting for?
Barrett-Jackson 2014
Another year, another Barrett-Jackson auctions as the biggest car auction event was held in Scottsdale. Here are the biggest hitters of this year's auctions:
- Gene Simmon's 1956 Ford F-100 - sold at $450k
- 2014 Chevrolet Camaro COPO - $700k for charity
- 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird - sold at over $500k
- 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 - sold at $3.85 million
- Linda Vaughn LV-1 Chevrolet Camaro - $280k for charity
- Simon Cowell's 2008 Bugatti Veyron - sold at $1.375 million
- 1963 Shelby Cooper Monaco King Cobra - sold at $1.65 million
- Ring Brothers 1964 Ford Fairlaine "Afterburner" - sold at $247,500
- 2015 Ford Mustang - $300k for charity
- Ferrari F300 from the 1998 F1 season - sold at $1.7 million
- 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 - $650k for charity
- McLaren F1 GTR Longtail - sold at $5.28 million
McLaren rehired Ron Dennis as CEO
British sportscar maker, McLaren, rehired Ron Dennis as the chief executive officer of the company. Reason for his reinstatement is because of McLaren's performance in the Formula One motorsports. Back in 2008, Ron Dennis' responsibility as a CEO made McLaren won the 2008 F1 season. With him back on track, can McLaren be back on the right track?
Court upholds suspension of Willie's show
Earlier, the Court of Appeals rejected the petition against the ruling upholding the MTRCB's order suspending Willie Revilliame's noontime variety show on TV5. In separate resolutions a couple of weeks ago, Associate Justice Manuel Barrios dismissed the motions for reconsideration asking the court to overrule the order from the MTRCB.
Report: http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/01/20/1281002/court-upholds-suspension-willies-show-anew
Tax exemption for Fostanes sought
Earlier, there was a report saying that Pinay caregiver turned X Factor Israel winner Rose Fostanes gets charged by the Bureau of Internal Revenue to pay taxes from the income she won in the contest. Now, there is a report saying that a lawmaker from the Overseas Filipino Workers party-list group appealed to the BIR not to pressure Rose Fostanes into paying taxes from her winning and instead, grant her tax exemption after all the hard work she done to showcase her talent to the world.
TTFN!!!
Nissan Teana L33
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| 2014 Nissan Teana |
After six years at last, the Nissan Teana is now on its third-generation, and unlike its predecessors, the new Teana stays true to being a car as relaxing as a day off at a hot spring. This isn't what you are really supposed to be because even though this is an all-new model, the new model looks suspiciously familiar...
What's so familiar about it?
Beginning in the chassis code; it seems that Nissan no longer does the J thing and instead gave it the L letter so for this third-generation Teana, it's now labeled as L33. Not J33 as previously foretold, it's L33. It's a similar case we looked at on the Nissan Sylphy two years ago when at first glance, it should be coded G12 but instead, TB17 is the codename for the Sylphy. What's going on with those twists in the Nissan archives? There's got to be some conspiracy going on around here as to why full model changes now come with totally different chassis codes but this is no time for debunking stuff. I'm here to check out what's going on with the new Teana.
But hey, the new Teana kinda looks like...
I know, the new Teana is now an international-class midsize car, and by the looks of it, the new Teana is now a lot like North America's Nissan Altima, again in L33 chassis code, so for the first time in Teana history, it now rose into international status. Last year, it was launched in China and Thailand as well as Australia so by no means a coincidence, it tries to capture a much broader audience much the same thing as the X-TRAIL T32 crossover. Think of it like Nissan's idea of the "One Ford" approach, except this isn't Ford. Sorry...
Okay then, so what to expect?
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| 2014 Nissan Teana |
Because it was inspired by North America's Altima, the brand new Teana is beautiful to look at and as similar looking as its little brother, the Nissan Sylphy B17. Even though it's bigger than the old J32 six years ago, the new L33 Teana now weighs 10kg less thanks to extensive use of high-tensile steel and aluminum. Quite an improvement as such but seems so irrelevant to me.
The interior?
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| 2014 Nissan Teana interior |
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| 2014 Nissan Teana interior |
Speaking of the interior, the new Teana L33 is now well-civilized. There are numerous changes occurred such as the steering wheel, which is now three-spoke, a higher dashboard, front door pockets are now larger than the old one and now more usable, and the instrumental panel now comes with a screen display that displays lane departure and blind spot visual alerts.
Seating in one of these, though, and you might have the same experience as what you expect from European saloons. Why am I not surprised? If that wasn't enough, the trademark reclining front passenger seat, as what you get from previous models, stays because having this kind of seat is a trademark of the Teana's omotenashi trait. It tries to be a hospitable saloon and because it focused on being a comfortable car, feels like my mind's getting chilled now. The same experience as you expect from a groin massage or relaxing in the bathtub.
Is it mellow?
Mellow? What do you mean mellow? Well, it can be a lot too mellow for me but the new Teana comes with a multi-link suspension and MacPherson strut independent front suspension with a stabilizer steel bar and rebound spring. This means this new suspension system is capable of having a smoother ride, enhanced stability, and good traction. Wow, looks like Nissan is truly on a roll now, the new Teana L33 wants to be on par with its European rivals such as the VW Passat and the Peugeot 508.
What about performance?
Uh...you know what? You might wanna look away now because, for the new Teana L33, the only engine available is an updated QR25DE 4-cylinder, in-line, 16V engine with a Twin C-VTC system, which takes care of the intake and exhaust valves for added efficiency, clean combustion, and economical. It produces about a measly 170PS of power output and 245Nm of torque, connected to a new-generation XTRONIC CVT gearbox. I know CVTs can make a car boring but for the Teana L33, it matches the vehicle speed instead of closely, but you do get a little bit of a "rubber-band" trait.
With this powertrain, the fuel economy is a moderate 14.4km/L, as calculated by Japan's JC08 Mode standards. Quite a small improvement there, but an insider has told me that there's going to be a hybrid model in the works. That's too early to tell but a normal 2.5L petrol engine seems legit to us.
Should I buy one?
Well, of course, you can because the new Teana L33 now starts at 2,429,700 Japanese Yen, that's about a hundred thousand less than the outgoing J32 model, which makes it a great value for a saloon that now comes with an international status, a sophisticated suspension system, a nice interior, and a fuel-efficient engine that seems a bit legit. Seems legit but close enough.
Available colors: Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Dark Metal Grey Metallic, Diamond Black Pearl, Radiant Red Pearl Metallic, and Waterfall Blue Titanium Pearl Metallic.
Photo: Nissan Motor Corporation
3rd Generation Toyota Noah and Voxy (R80G/W)
It's time for me to throw the gauntlet as our first brand new model of the new year gets it and this time, the arrival of the all new, third generation, Toyota Noah and Voxy minivans will signal the start of the new year with new models on the horizon. Yes, these new models will spearhead the year 2014 with a bang...sort of.
They're identically the same so are there any differences?
Much like the Premio and Allion saloons, the Porte and Spade compacts, and the Alphard and Vellfire flagship MPVs, both the Noah and Voxy are essentially the same cars with different outlooks to suit different tastes. They're sold at different dealerships as the Noah is sold in Corolla dealerships while the Voxy is sold in Netz dealerships (noticing the Netz badge at the front face).
The Noah is targeted for middle-aged moms and dads with kids while the Voxy is made for the younger audience in their late 20's and early 30's...or perhaps someone who has mates most likely to ask him to go out to the big city. So, you get the idea, the Noah is a family van while the Voxy is a joyrider's MPV suitable for road trips with friends.
Anyway, what's new?
The brand new third-generation Noah and Voxy features a class-leading stuff, something that its rivals like the Honda StepWGN and the recently facelifted Nissan Serena C26 couldn't hold on. The sliding doors can be opened at 805mm wider, that's beyond compare than any other JDM minivans in its class. It has the lowest floor in its class by 360mm, 810mm of floor space when the second-row seats slide backwards, interior height is now 1400mm (highest in its class), lowest rear floor in its class by 500mm, there's so much to explain about its class-leading statistics.
There is now a hybrid model?
Yes, there is. Both the Noah and the Voxy now comes, for the first time, ever a hybrid powerplant. Quite intriguing but Toyota made this to make sure it has some serious competition against the S-HYBRID variant of the Nissan Serena C26. How does it stack up? Well, the updated 1.8L engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery may not be quite as powerful than the Serena's but the fuel economy easily beats is because this hybrid powerplant on the all new Noah and Voxy is capable of having a fuel economy of 23.8km/L, calculated in JC08 Mode standards. You heard that right. 23.8kmpl of fuel consumption, 7.8kmpl more than the Serena's. So, there you go, families all over Japan. If you're looking for a fuel-efficient people mover that can take you places from one prefecture to another, look no further.
But there is a catch, right?
Yes, there is a catch because the new models start at 2,210,000 Japanese Yen, which is 26,000 Yen more than the Nissan Serena C26 and 22,000 Yen more than the Honda StepWGN. How annoying was that? And then when the 8% consumption tax rate is implemented in Japan on April 2014, that's gotta be more pain in the budget but all and all, it's a huge price to pay for a fuel-efficient MPV suitable enough to carry seven or eight people around you.
There's also a 2.0L petrol engine, right?
Yes it is. For those who think that the hybrid model is a bit...(clears throat) not your type, there's a more powerful 2.0L petrol engine offered. While equipped with a familiar Super CVT-i gearbox as similar as the hybrid model, this 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine produces 152PS of power and 193Nm of torque. It even comes with the idling stop system that cuts off the engine when stop and then starts it again when on the move. So, the fuel economy for this 2.0L engine? 16.0km/L, as calculated by JC08 Mode standards. Just a kmpl more than the StepWGN's. Fact.
Should I buy one?
As I said earlier, both the new Noah and the Voxy are more expensive than the Serena and the StepWGN but with all that costly pricing, these new minivans are now the top of the minivan food chain because for these new arrivals, they're now lower, more spacious, more fuel efficient, more roomier, and these minivans will have high hopes for the Japanese carmaker.
But...
They're available only in Japan so back off, smugglers.
Available Colors:
Noah - White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Dark Cherry Mica Metallic, Ocean Mint Metallic, and Dark Violet Mica Metallic.
Voxy - White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Blackish Ageha Glass Flake, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Ocean Mint Metallic, and Dark Violet Mica Metallic.
Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
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| 2014 Toyota Noah |
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| 2014 Toyota Voxy |
Much like the Premio and Allion saloons, the Porte and Spade compacts, and the Alphard and Vellfire flagship MPVs, both the Noah and Voxy are essentially the same cars with different outlooks to suit different tastes. They're sold at different dealerships as the Noah is sold in Corolla dealerships while the Voxy is sold in Netz dealerships (noticing the Netz badge at the front face).
The Noah is targeted for middle-aged moms and dads with kids while the Voxy is made for the younger audience in their late 20's and early 30's...or perhaps someone who has mates most likely to ask him to go out to the big city. So, you get the idea, the Noah is a family van while the Voxy is a joyrider's MPV suitable for road trips with friends.
Anyway, what's new?
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| 2014 Toyota Voxy interior |
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| 2014 Toyota Noah interior |
The brand new third-generation Noah and Voxy features a class-leading stuff, something that its rivals like the Honda StepWGN and the recently facelifted Nissan Serena C26 couldn't hold on. The sliding doors can be opened at 805mm wider, that's beyond compare than any other JDM minivans in its class. It has the lowest floor in its class by 360mm, 810mm of floor space when the second-row seats slide backwards, interior height is now 1400mm (highest in its class), lowest rear floor in its class by 500mm, there's so much to explain about its class-leading statistics.
There is now a hybrid model?
Yes, there is. Both the Noah and the Voxy now comes, for the first time, ever a hybrid powerplant. Quite intriguing but Toyota made this to make sure it has some serious competition against the S-HYBRID variant of the Nissan Serena C26. How does it stack up? Well, the updated 1.8L engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery may not be quite as powerful than the Serena's but the fuel economy easily beats is because this hybrid powerplant on the all new Noah and Voxy is capable of having a fuel economy of 23.8km/L, calculated in JC08 Mode standards. You heard that right. 23.8kmpl of fuel consumption, 7.8kmpl more than the Serena's. So, there you go, families all over Japan. If you're looking for a fuel-efficient people mover that can take you places from one prefecture to another, look no further.
But there is a catch, right?
Yes, there is a catch because the new models start at 2,210,000 Japanese Yen, which is 26,000 Yen more than the Nissan Serena C26 and 22,000 Yen more than the Honda StepWGN. How annoying was that? And then when the 8% consumption tax rate is implemented in Japan on April 2014, that's gotta be more pain in the budget but all and all, it's a huge price to pay for a fuel-efficient MPV suitable enough to carry seven or eight people around you.
There's also a 2.0L petrol engine, right?
Yes it is. For those who think that the hybrid model is a bit...(clears throat) not your type, there's a more powerful 2.0L petrol engine offered. While equipped with a familiar Super CVT-i gearbox as similar as the hybrid model, this 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine produces 152PS of power and 193Nm of torque. It even comes with the idling stop system that cuts off the engine when stop and then starts it again when on the move. So, the fuel economy for this 2.0L engine? 16.0km/L, as calculated by JC08 Mode standards. Just a kmpl more than the StepWGN's. Fact.
Should I buy one?
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| 2014 Toyota Noah |
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| 2014 Toyota Voxy |
As I said earlier, both the new Noah and the Voxy are more expensive than the Serena and the StepWGN but with all that costly pricing, these new minivans are now the top of the minivan food chain because for these new arrivals, they're now lower, more spacious, more fuel efficient, more roomier, and these minivans will have high hopes for the Japanese carmaker.
But...
They're available only in Japan so back off, smugglers.
Available Colors:
Noah - White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Dark Cherry Mica Metallic, Ocean Mint Metallic, and Dark Violet Mica Metallic.
Voxy - White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Blackish Ageha Glass Flake, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Ocean Mint Metallic, and Dark Violet Mica Metallic.
Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Stars of NAIAS 2014
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| 2015 Ford F-150 |
The 2014 North American International Auto Show runs from January 18 to January 26, 2014, at the Cobo Center in the now-bankrupt Detroit. In this year's show, we expect a huge debutantes, both foreign and local, regardless of car classes they're on. So, what's the list of this year's debutantes?
- Bentley Continental GT V8 S
- BMW 2-Series
- BMW M3 F80
- BMW M4 F82
- Cadillac ATS Coupe
- Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
- Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06
- 2015 Chrysler 200
- 2015 Ford F-150
- 2015 Ford Mustang
- 2015 GMC Canyon
- Lexus RC-F
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz S600 (W222)
- Porsche 911 Targa (991)
- 2015 Subaru WRX STi
- Acura TLX Prototype
- Acura TLX GT Race Car
- Audi Allroad Shooting Brake Concept
- Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept
- Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
- Mini JCW Concept
- Nissan Sports Sedan Concept
- Toyota FT-1 Concept
- Volvo XC Coupe Concept
- VW Beetle Dune Concept
...and more from this car show...
For a full gallery go to: http://www.carscoops.com/2014/01/view-2014-detroit-motor-show-debuts-in.html
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