Mitsuoka ends the Orochi with the "Final Orochi"

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi

The Mitsuoka Orochi. While it may not be the prettiest sportscar to look at, it's a product of an unsung car company called Mitsuoka. While the body and the chassis is a Mitsuoka original, the 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 engine was sourced from Toyota and mounted at the middle while mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. Of course, you maybe familiar as the car James May drove on an episode of Top Gear a few seasons ago.

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi

Mitsuoka announced that the production of the super-hideous Orochi sportscar ends this September 2014 and to finish it off, they offered the Final Orochi, a final model that features...well, about the same as the Orochi except with a bigger price tag.

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi interior

2015 Mitsuoka Final Orochi interior

Because it's limited to five units, three final Orochis are colored in Gold Pearl while two are painted in a purplish color called Fuyoru-oh (不夜王). It features an exclusive emblem, 19-inch aluminum wheel, and some exclusive interior combinations depending on the color.

No alterations on the spec here. Still comes with the same 3MZ-FE 3.3L V6 engine which churns out 233PS of power and 328Nm of torque while mated with a 5-speed automatic gearbox. It has rack and pinion steering, double wishbone suspension, ventilated disc brakes, on and on and on and on...

The Final Orochi is priced at an ultra-expensive 12,700,000 Japanese Yen (estimated $127,000) and like I said, only five units are made.

URL: http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/lineup/new/finalorochi/
Source: http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=359887&lindID=4

Third-Generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris Minor Change

2015 Toyota Vitz

It's the new Toyota Vitz (Yaris)! Sort of. The latest minor change for the third-generation Toyota Vitz/Yaris brings a keen look to Toyota's compact hatchback which, in this third-generation, has been with us four years ago since its December 2010 debut, and even though it has a new Auris-styled nose as well as an updated exterior and a slightly updated interior, this minor change feels as fresh as a tangerine on a sunrise.

2015 Toyota Vitz interior

Like the pre-facelift, the 2015 Vitz/Yaris still offers three petrol engine configurations ranging from a 1.0L, 1.3L, and the 1.5L engine but for the 2015 model year, the biggest change is the addition of a brand new 1NR-FKE engine.

1NR-FKE

What is 1NR-FKE? This brand new 1.3L engine uses the Atkinson Cycle commonly used in their hybrid cars. With this, the new 1.3L petrol engine provides and enhanced expansion ration and reduces waste heat through a high compression ratio of 13.5:1. It can be utilized with the use of a tumble flow-generating intake, cooled EGR, and VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent Electric) technology.

With this brand new engine, the fuel economy is now 25.0km/L, as calculated by JC08 Mode standards, which is 15% more than the old 1.3L engine and it's more fuel efficient than the 1.0L petrol engine, which provides 24.0km/L when paired with Smart Stop technology, as well. Well, I'm glad we cleared that up.

2015 Toyota Vitz

2015 Toyota Vitz

2015 Toyota Vitz

The new model is now priced from 1,155,600 to 1,994,073 Japanese Yen (estimated $12,000 to $20,000) and it's available in the entry level F, mid-range U, ladies-favorite Jewela and the sporty RS model. But wait...

2015 Toyota Vitz RS G's

2015 Toyota Vitz RS G's

For 2,044,145 Japanese Yen (estimated $20,450). you can opt in for a more sportier G's model and for the RS G's model, the RS model that was sporty-ish has been made even sportier with the help of some stylish aerokits, sport-tuned suspension, and a sporty dark interior that suits its sporty character.

Available colors (depending on the model): Super White II, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Black Mica, Cherry Pearl Crystal Shine, Super Red V, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Beige Mica Metallic, Copper Mica Metallic, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Brown Mica Metallic, Luminous Yellow, Jade Green Metallic, Cool Soda Metallic, and Blue Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

About the worst maritime tragedy in South Korea

It might be best to interrupt your day with one of the most shocking news that has been abuzz worldwide. It was known to be one of the worst maritime disasters ever happened in South Korea and it happened while I was in a middle of the Holy Week break in case you didn't know that.

The ferry in question, the Sewol ferry, carries about 476 passengers and six days ago, it sank off the southern coastline. As of now;

- 108 confirmed dead
- 194 missing
- 174 rescued
- 476 total passengers

What's even more shocking that there are 325 high school students were on that ferry while they were on their field trips and in response to the worst maritime disaster in South Korean history, all school field trips are banned throughout the nation.

There's even a radio transcript stating that the Sewol crew didn't know how to handle the evacuation.

South Korean president Park Geun-hye declared the cities of Jindo and Ansan as special disaster zones, stating that these cities will provide assistance from national disaster assistance programs.

Folks are criticizing the South Korean president for mishandling the situation of the Sewol search and rescue operations, even though she's opposing against the ferry's captain in question, Captain Lee Jun-seok, and his crew for "actions akin to murder". Prosecutor Lee Bong-chang told the Yonhap news agency that the captain of the Sewol ferry's causing all this by failing to slow down while taking a narrow route and making an excess turn. If found guilty, Lee Jun-seok will face 5 years to life imprisonment.

Those poor people. They can never rebuilt their lives. This maritime disaster not only is considered to be catastrophic but it breaks my heart because I was heavily concerned on those high school students who were caught in this maritime disaster. This topic is too heartbreaking to be ignored, much like the Malaysia Airlines' Flight 370 case where rescuers are busy searching for that missing jet.

F1 2014 Chinese GP

Well, there's no stopping Lewis Hamilton right now, even in China where the fourth round of the Formula One 2014 season commenced. Using his pole position as his big advantage for this Mercedes F1 team racer and after 54 laps of a battle hardened match, Hamilton even managed to scamper his third win for the season, nice and easy, leaving his teammate Nico Rosberg at 2nd place and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in 3rd. Wow, wouldn't you believe that in the age of downsized Formula One engines, this guy makes the cut in this season?

Report: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2014/4/15753.html

So, with Hamilton took another win for this season, will he do better in Spain? Find out this May 11.

Top Gear-tuned Genesis Coupe to appear in XTM's THE BUNKER

Now, if you're an avid viewer of Top Gear Korea, you might remember this modified Genesis Coupe called the TGK 520. Tuned by the presenters themselves, the TGK 520's engine develops 520HP of power and 70kg of torque, and they only cost them over 30,000,000 KRW (estimated $29,000) to modify this Genesis Coupe.

Word from the station that brought you Top Gear Korea is that the TGK 520 will be making a special appearance on the XTM show called The Bunker. The Bunker is a show where they provide a normal car, modify it, and auction it to the highest bidder. Think Pimp My Ride meets Auction Kings because a modified car is worth a bidding from the public audience.

There's going to be a SPECIAL AUCTION in a special episode of THE BUNKER airing this April 27th at 10:50 PM Korean Standard Time.

Stars of 2014 New York Auto Show

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible

The 2014 New York Auto Show is in full circle right now and visitors got until next Sunday to check out what's new in the world of automotive industry as well as next-generation car technologies built for the future ahead so...what cars to expect in this year's car show?

• 2015 Infiniti QX80
• 2015 Infiniti Q70
• 2015 Dodge Challenger F/L
• 2015 Dodge Charger F/L
• 2015 Subaru Outback
• Ford Transit Skyliner Concept
• 2015 BMW X4
• 2015 Ford Focus Electric
• 2015 Volkswagen Jetta F/L
• 2015 Acura TLX
• 2015 Nissan Murano
• 2015 Ford Focus
• 2015 BMW M4 Cabrio
• Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition
• Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0
• 2015 Chevrolet Cruze F/L
• 2015 Chevrolet Trax
• 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Convertible
• 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe
• Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept

...and more.

SIDE NOTES:

- Kia revealed their new MPV which will be the replacement for the Carnival minivan. We can't tell you what that name is because of search engine reasons but it's close. We just have to wait what would the Koreans call for Kia's new flagship MPV recently revealed at the New York Auto Show.

- The QX50 has been renamed into QX80 while the Infiniti M has been renamed into Q70 in part of Nissan's luxury brand's new naming scheme. For 2015, they're both updated with refined exterior, new trims and for the Q70 flagship saloon, a long wheelbase model is offered for the first time but only petrol models will take part to the extended wheelbase model of the Q70.

- Mazda celebrates the Roadster's 25th year featuring the past, present, and the future of the Mazda Roadster.

- The Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition will be limited to 1964 units and it's made in honor of the Mustang's 50th birthday with its throwback looks and a commemorative plaque on the interior.

For more: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/17/we-obsessively-covered-new-york-auto-show/

Subaru LEVORG (VM)

This is probably one of the most ideal cars to drive when you woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning and go out for an early cruise round the town. Sure, you have the roads with you at the time but in this new model I'll be tackling about, think of it like you're going away from your house in the suburbs, then travel round town until you reached your granny's house, which is about a few miles from a historic site. How lucky this scenario would be especially the car you were driving is an estate available only in Japan.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

This is the LEVORG and even though it has a very weird name, Subaru claims that this is a Real Sports Tourer as said in their advertising but come on, even though it's a sports tourer which is the size of the outgoing Legacy Touring Wagon, which will be phased out this year, I don't really hold much hope even though it's not going to be offered worldwide because it's available exclusively to the Japanese market.

Sure, it was similarly sized to the Legacy Touring Wagon but unlike the Legacy Touring Wagon, the LEVORG looks clean in the exterior design department and it looks handsome as well. The bonnet scoop adds a nice touch because what's underneath it are one of two DIT engines which I'll talk about it later but anyway, because it looks more like a European sports tourer, there's nothing to criticize about how the LEVORG looks and as for the interior...

2015 Subaru LEVORG interior

It's all typical Subaru interior in here but when fully equipped, you get the same experience that you felt from watching a very erotic Danish commercial. While taking an early morning cruise on a Tokyo highway, the LEVORG really soothes my mind and I don't need to worry a single thing or two because it's a very comfortable ride because it's as well-lubricated as a jar of Vaseline.

It's the first to offer Eyesight Ver. 3, which is the new and improved version of Subaru's very own pre-crash safety system. For Version 3, it integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. If you have any doubts, handle this stuff with care.

So, on the city highways, the LEVORG is brilliant because of its comfort zone and the clever suspension setup that makes this tourer feel like in a different league but as dawn reaches and the open roads are in reach, the LEVORG starts to unravel.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

The LEVORG comes with two turbocharged petrol engines available and because they're turbocharged, you can expect them to be somewhat fun to drive but this car's no fool, though because even with the turbocharged engines, the only transmission available is a LINEARTRONIC CVT gearbox but different engine types offer different settings on the CVT gearbox. First, there's the FB16 DIT engine which develops a modest 170PS of power output and with the fuel economy of 17.4 km/liter (JC08 mode), it's quite okay to drive for a little bit longer and models rigged with the 1.6L DIT engine have two modes in the SI-DRIVE, determining the best gear control for fuel efficiency and driving enjoyment.

Then, there's the top of the line FA20 DIT engine which develops an impressive 300PS of power output and 400Nm of torque. With models using this high-performance engine, there's a S# in the SI-DRIVE and when set, drivers can take advantage to its paddle shifters and shift from one to eight. Eight simulated gears, eh? That's enough fake moving mechanisms that will keep the LEVORG longing for days but better still, this SPORT LINEARTRONIC makes this CVT gearbox more responsive than any other CVT gearboxes and can be taken lightly.

Couple that with a new chassis as well as Subaru's legendary SYMMETRICAL AWD system, the LEVORG really is a sports tourer well-lubricated for the road ahead and oh, in the speed bumps, there's a bit of worry in here but that's fine because you get the little feeling that you were an angry yobo driving a Subie wagon on the roads of Africa. Yes, I just said that but that's the way Subarus are meant to be, they can take on any terrain no matter how bad they can be.

2015 Subaru LEVORG

If I have any doubts about the LEVORG, I would say that the interior's a bit too stale, the CVT gearbox is not a fit for a turbo engine (if you're a Subarist), and the biggest problem to this care is the price and with prices start at around 2,667,600 JPY (estimated $27,000) it's pricier than its rival tourer from Toyota, the Avensis but unlike the Avensis, the Subaru LEVORG is much more enjoyable to drive because of the turbocharged engine and it has all the right elements that a good sports tourer should be; being agile in the corners while maintaining the ability of being a family car or a company car. You can even use it to drive at the shops as well and take advantage to its bigger boot.

It might have a silly name but the LEVORG is definitely a serious daily driver's car for the serious drivers. Despite being a serious machine, the LEVORG can be taken lightly with care and I just want one of those in my whole life.

Available colors: Crystal White Pearl, Steel Blue Grey Metallic, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Lightning Red, and Galaxy Blue Silica.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries