Gran Turismo For Your iPhone

Real Racing 2

I recently bought Real Racing 2 for my iPhone to see if it was really as good as most reviewers have said. To my surprise, it wasn't. It's AMAZING!! The graphics are inch-perfect; they're almost as good as the stuff you get on a PSP. The physics have gotten better from their last installment. The races are immense and challenging. There's a lot to say about this game, but let me sum it up with one simple word: AWESOME. If you've got money and an iPhone or an iPod Touch, head over to the App Store and buy this App. It's literally like having Gran Turismo on your iPhone. What's also surprising about the realism in this game: it all started with a Golf. The game also features this awesome YouTube upload feature where you can upload replays onto YouTube so other racers can see. Here's my first upload.

Carlsson Tunage

2012 Carlsson CLS350 CDI (Courtesy of Carlsson)

German Mercedes-Benz tuning company Carlsson have already got their hands on the new CLS Diesel and have given it a slight tune up with a new aerodynamic kit and other such luxurious things. It now has a 320 horsepower in its 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6 engine. Carlsson also upgraded the petrol CLS350 with 330 horsepower in its 3.5-liter V6 engine. Whichever engine you choose, they both will do 0 to 60 MPH in 5.9 seconds. That's about as fast as my mom's old E500 which makes it pretty impressive. The tune-up will be available as soon as the new CLS is released.

American Voltage

2011 Chevy Volt

What's with this car? Ever since its release, it's been receiving all sorts of praise. It's the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year for bringing the future of motoring to our doorstep. Automobile Magazine have also named this car their Car of the Year for being a car that is unlike any vehicle they have ever driven. It's the Green Journal Green Car of the Year for being one of the first affordable electric vehicles. It's on the Car and Driver 10Best list for being futuristic; that's the first time C&D ever put an electric car on their 10Best list. It just so happens that this car is in the running for North American Car of the Year against the Nissan Leaf, another electric car, and the Hyundai Sonata. This is truly amazing because this car made it out of a list of really good cars like the Infiniti M, the Audi A8, and even the noble Jaguar XJ! I think I'll have to drive this car for myself to see just what makes it so applaudable. But anyway, Chevy has come a very long way to make it back on the top as one of the best automotive companies on earth. If the Volt wins the North American Car of the Year, it will definitely change the future of motoring.

New Year = New Cars

2011

Well, Christmas is here and the new year is upon us, which means it's time to make changes with our lives and the world. Out with the old, in with the new, and in this case, new cars. 2011 is coming and it's bringing an array of fancy new wheels with it. Here are some of them.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C

1. 2011 McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren is back after it's hiatus with the F1. Now, they're releasing this swoopy, Twin-Turbocharged 600 horsepower V8 supercar aiming for Ferrari and Lamborghini. McLaren are already certain that this car will go over 200 MPH. It's already received praise from Jay Leno and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. I like it, too because it looks as good as it handles. Let's see how well it will do next year.

2011 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible

2. 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible

After months of anticipation, the Camaro finally takes its top off. New for 2011, the Camaro Convertible comes with all the perks of the regular hardtop coupe, but with no top. You still get the same engines, including the new 312 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 base engine. Prices start at $29,150, but if I were you, I'd pay extra to hear a growling 426 horsepower V8 under the hood.

2012 Nissan GT-R

3. 2012 Nissan GT-R

Next summer, Godzilla returns with more power and more insanity. It's all new 523 horsepower Twin-Turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 engine gets the monster from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds. With that much power and acceleration, who knows? The GT-R could just about pass the 200 MPH mark. This is one crazy Japanese import!

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

4. 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

This luxurious and sporty convertible returns with sexier looks and bigger engine. It now uses the same Twin-Turbocharged 400 horsepower V8 that you get in the 750i sedan. You will feel this power as you accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds. Another fast thing about this car is its folding roof which opens in 19 seconds and closes in just 24 seconds. Look for this car next summer with a big price tag and its top down.

2012 VW Golf R

5. 2012 VW Golf R

Finally! This turbo-nutting Golf is making its way to our shores WITH its 270 horsepower 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline-4. Accompanied with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual or DSG transmission, this Golf will accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 MPH. It will be available in 3-door or 5-door variants. Any way or another, this is one cool Golf.

2012 Ford Mustang BOSS 302 Laguna Seca

6. 2012 Ford Mustang

Since 2010, the Mustang has gotten better, adding more power, better styling, and better performance. New 2012, the mighty Mustang GT gets a new lower price tag of just under $30,000 to make room for this massive muscle: the BOSS 302. Coming next Spring, it will be available in regular or Laguna Seca variants starting at $44,000. This is definitely ideal money because this car was able to beat a top Laguna Seca lap time held by the BMW M3 E92.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (Courtesy of Road & Track)

7. 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

We've seen the SLS reveal itself earlier this year. Now it's time for it to take the top down for next summer. The car will still feature its 6.2-liter 563 horsepower V8 engine from the regular coupe, but since most convertibles are heavier than the regular coupe models, it might reach 60 MPH from 0 in a slower time. No matter. Convertibles are always more sexier than coupes.

2012 Ferrari 458 Spider (Courtesy of teamspeed.com)

8. 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider

This might just be a rendering, but rest assured Ferrari does plan to release a top-down version of their sexiest Ferrari, the 458, next summer. It might be slightly heavier than the original, but it will still feature its 562 horsepower Ferrari V8 engine so you can hear the harmonious engine more clearly.

2012 Ford Focus ST

9. 2012 Ford Focus ST

Since its birth, the Focus ST has always been in Europe. Now, Ford has come to its senses and have planned to bring the Turbo-hatch over to our shores. The new Focus ST will feature a 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline-4 engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission. 247 horsepower will power the front wheels of this car. This is just a first move of the many changes Ford has planned for the company. What's next? A Focus RS?

2011 Dodge Durango

10. 2011 Dodge Durango

The Durango is back and better than ever. Based off the platform of the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the all new Durango features better styling and more sportier looks. It looks more like sporty wagon than an SUV if you ask me. Under the hood is the traditional 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 370 horsepower making it very powerful for a very heavy SUV. Look for this SUV in the showrooms in a couple months.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

11. 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz invented the 4-door coupe by bringing in the CLS. Now, for 2011, it's back with more power, sexier looks, and more technology. Its all new 5.5-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine producing 402 horsepower projects the car from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds making it very fast. When it comes out, it will be the first car ever made to offer full LED lighting for all of its dynamic lighting functions. In fact, there's 71 LED lights all around the car making it very energy saving. Not mention, it looks much sexier now than it did before. Look for this coupe next summer.

So, there's your list of cars coming out next year. Let's start the waiting...NOW!

The Sprit of Lotus Future

2013 Lotus Esprit Concept

Now if you're a serious Lotus lover, you might remember a time where the mighty Esprit was still with us. It was a great car. It's Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine captivated all of us. When it went away in 2008, we missed it greatly. In fact, Lotus missed the car so much, they've decided to bring it back, and it might look like the car you see in front of you now. But, one thing's for sure. It's coming back with more power. Lotus already have the specs of the engine the new Esprit will harbor: a 5.0-liter Twin-Turbocharged 620 horsepower V8 placed in the middle, as always, connected to a new 7-speed Dual-Clutch transmission. This car will venture from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 MPH, bringing quite a scare to the Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLaren's new big shot. So, when this car does come out in 2012, it will put Lotus back in the supercar game. Who knows? It might just outrun them.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Car

From my family to yours', I want to wish you the best. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

What would Santa drive?

Santa's Sleigh

Well, Christmas begins in a couple hours and Santa's already packed his sleigh with toys and such and headed our way as we speak. But, what if ol' Saint Nick ditched the old sleigh and went modern with a car? What would Santa drive: a Sedan, a Sports Car, or an SUV?

2011 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG

Well, Mercedes made it easy for us by showing us commercials with the big guy driving one of these delivering silver new Benz's to homes. But, what if he really drove this around delivering toys and gifts to children? It would make him look a lot cooler, wouldn't it? Big kids would respect him more, and little kids will look at him as if he were a hero. But there is a small problem. There are over 3,000,000 kids on this planet, which means over 3,000,000 toys Santa has to deliver. I don't think this peppy SL has room in the boot or the Passenger seat for a big sack of toys. Then again, Santa is a magical being.

2011 BMW 5 Series

What about the new BMW 5 Series? It rides comfortably for Santa's old body, it's powerful and fast so he can get to all of the houses in time, and it has a big boot space to keep all the 3 Million toys for the children. So, all together this sounds like a perfect car, but there's one small problem why it isn't the right one: it doesn't come in RED.

2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Lux

The Range Rover Sport, however, does come in RED, rides comfortably, is powerful and fast, and has big boot space. Not to mention it's a very good looking SUV. The Queen of England will definitely respect him if he drove this. So, in my opinion, the RR Sport is the perfect car for Santa if he ever goes modern. But, that's my opinion. What's yours?