aperture [+]

Friday, March 31, 2006

 

The Return of Muscles

It was in the mid-60s, when powerful V8-muscle machines once ruled the streets of Detroit and beyond. legendary names like Ford Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger striked a chord with the baby-boomer generation. the late Steve McQueen burnt rubber with his Mustang Shelby GT in the chase scene from Bullit. kids of the playstation generation had driven these muscles in simulation mode. this year the muscles are back in full force at the recent Detroit show where GM resurrected the Chevrolet Camaro.

while the new Camaro was inspired by its 1969 ancestor, the crisp modern lines in the sheet metal are unliked the other retro-styled cars. good looks are backed up by a 400 bhp aluminium V8 block, 6-speed m/t, and sophisticated chassis with 4-wheel independent suspension.
the cockpit spots a purposeful design execution which is reflected in the gauges and splash of orange trim hint at the first-gen classic. the Camaro concept is said to go in production in 3 years. not only to appeal solely to aging baby boomers going through a midlife crisis, GM hopes to pry away young buyers from their current Jap rice burners like Honda Civics, Mitsu Evos or Subaru WRXs, to latch onto the muscle car craze.



the making of Camaro Concept


more >>

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

 

Crossover to CX7


Engineered with the "Soul of a Sportscar" dna, here comes a crossover SUV with a distinctive appearance. the all-new mazda CX-7 combines dynamic movement, speedy bold shapes in one passionate statement. powered by 2.3L DISI turbocharged engine pushing 244ps, and 350Nm of torque driving the similar Active Torque Split AWD system as found in Mazda6 MPS.
side profile sports an aggressively rising belt line, a curved roof and buldging fender arches. broad shoulders ending at the rear with round motif tail lamp and a pair of twin exhausts - stamping mazda's unique signature... zoom-zoom


whether CX-7 will arrive at the shores of Bolehland is anyone's guess. if so, CX-7 would surely eat Toyol Harrier/Lexus RX300 or Nissan Murano for breakfast as well as supper.



more >>

Saturday, March 25, 2006

 

Siam Felines

27th Bangkok International Motor Show starting from March 24 - April 2, is expected to draw up to 1.7 million visitors. to be held at Bitec Exhibition Centre, the theme this year is ‘Natural Energy, Future Energy’. more than 130 car manufacturers and allied industries are expected to take part. several concept cars with innovative technology will also be on display. but uncertainty created by the current political turmoil and street protest are likely to scare away visitors and dampen sales at the show.
ahh how i missed bangkok. i missed siam pussis. i'd probably on a plane right now to the siam capital if not for the current political unrest happening there. what a bummer ; (

meantime, feast your eyes on these beauty queens of the motorshow, and droool ;p~~~~~

miss motorshow 2006
1st runner up
2nd runner up
3rd runner up
miss photogenic



more >>

Thursday, March 23, 2006

 

Kartuning the World!


Our friends over at cedko.com are hosting a special event for cartoonists and cartoon enthusiasts alike. you are invited to join the inaugural Cedko Cartoonist Conference. theme of that event is Kartuning the World!
When?
Sunday. April 23, 2006

Where?
Armada Hotel in Petaling Jaya

Interested?
Register now!

email: cedko@cedko.com or contact 012-3771916 for more details


more >>

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

 

5 Corporate Lessons

1. A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A rabbit asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?" The crow answered, "Sure, why not."
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. A fox came by, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.


Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very high up.


2. A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on my droppings?" replied the bull."They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.


Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

3. A sales rep and a administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."
"Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof! She's gone.
"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He's gone.
"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."


Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

4. A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel."
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 dollars and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies.
"Great!" the husband says, "Did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"


Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

5. A priest offered a lift to a Nun. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."


Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity!

more >>

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

 

Sharon Boner 2


Crime novelist Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) once again finds herself on the wrong side of the law. Dr. Michael Glass (David Morrissey) a criminal psychiatrist, is brought in by Scotland Yard to perform a psychiatric evaluation of Tramell following the mysterious death of a top sports star. physically drawn to Tramell and mentally intrigued by her, Dr. Glass is quickly sucked into her web of lies and seduction...

Sharon Stone returns as the femme fatale in the sequel to Basic Instinct. she has aged quite a bit, too bad that tight facelift didn't help. she looks very much a haggard MILF. the leg-crossing scene has been replayed to death *yawn*. minus the sparks from Michael Douglas - can Sharon induce yet another boner? i think not.


more >>

Sunday, March 19, 2006

 

1 Millionth Sixes

Mazda announced the total global production of the Mazda6 (aka Atenza in Japan) reached the one million-unit mark in late Feb 2006. it took four years and one month to reach this important milestone since the 1st Mazda6 rolled off assembly line at the Hofu #2 plant in Feb 2002. this is the fastest time ever to reach 1 million units for a single mazda model. Mazda6 has since won over 110 global automotive awards, incl. Japan's prestigious RJC Car of the Year Award 2003.

"We are absolutely delighted that production of the Mazda6 has reached one million units in such a short time amid the very competitive global environment," said Hisakazu Imaki, president and CEO of Mazda.
"The one millionth Mazda6 milestone is positive proof that our customers like the way we make cars. And Mazda intends to keep building Zoom-Zoom products that will excite and delight our customers, and exceed their expectations."
Mazda6's CD3 platform is the basis for a number of other Ford Group vehicles, incl. the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKX, and SUV (new CX-7) and minivan (Mazda5).


2005 Mazda6 facelift

more >>

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

 

3-Diamond X Factor


Concept-X is the next-gen Lancer Evolution. a radical departure from the outgoing 4-door saloon rocket Evo IX. Mitsubishi Concept-X mates an aluminum block MIVEC 2.0L turbocharged engine to a high performance 6-speed auto-manual tranny, controlled by paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. roof, engine hood and other body panels are also aluminium. chassis performance is substantially beefed-up with Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) full-time 4WD system.
hot pussi in black sold separately

Badd-ass grille, upfront visage borrows design cues from a jetfighter to hint broadly of a huge intercooler, pointing to a purposeful and neo-age styling. the much needed X-factor that might steer the troubled Mitsubishi out of the red.

Concept-X specification:
Length (mm) 4530
Width (mm) 1830
Height (mm) 1470
Wheelbase (mm) 2650
Track: F/R (mm) 1565 / 1565
Seating capacity 4
Tires 255/35R20
Wheels 20 x 9J





more >>

Sunday, March 12, 2006

 

P43: Last Fling in Shanghai

Ultra fast-paced city by day, a glitzy cosmopolitan at night. Shanghai is a crowded but well connected city. getting around the Bund was real easy. i must say the chic and clean Shanghai was light years ahead of KL. had my pocketable Sony Cybershot P43 with me during a short stint there last Nov 2005. seen below are a couple of moments captured by P43. no doubt P43 has served its purpose admirably as a go-everywhere p&s cam. lack of manual controls was my only gripe. else P43 was ever ready to fire away at will. sold it off recently to a rookie friend. shooting Shanghai, was its final assignment.

more images after the jump..

Life begins @430km/h in the Pearl of the Orient


more >>

Friday, March 10, 2006

 

Whitewashed Turquoise


F1 new season will zoom off this weekend at Bahrain, next stop Sepang.
despite having poured millions of sponsorship money into the former Sauber-F1 outfit, state-owned oil giant Petronas was forced to lose its corporate colour on the F1 racer after BMW acquired the team.

pride swallowed, will such face-losing scene be politicised, and lead to yet another keris-waving faux pas act in Bolehland?

more >>

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

 

TT: Sheer Curiosity

Not Teh Tarik lar, brader!
Audi releases a sneak preview of the all-new 2007 Audi TT coupé, ahead of its official launch date on April 6. can't wait? hop over to the microsite now to satisfy your curiosity..

update 1: a teaser sketch of the new TT

update 2: production TT




more >>

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

 

Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday

Hot on the trail of recent successes with Focus WRC, Ford unleashes Focus ST. pinching one of Volvo's high torque turbo mill (from S40 T5), the 2.5L 5-cylinder motor pushes 220ps and 378Nm enabling the 6-speed manual Focus ST to sprint from 0-100km/h in mere 6.5 sec. top speed could hit a high of 240km/h. interior is equally intense boasting deep bucket seats, a turbo boost gauge, drilled alloy pedals, and plenty of 'sporty' aluminium highlight (huh?)Contest will come from the crowd of VW Golf GTi, Megane Sport, Astra VXR and of course the newer but lesser Mazda3 MPS, Civic Type-R - will the Focus ST reign supreme as the ultimate hot hatch? the verdict is out there.

more >>