Lexus Unveils Performance Models in Tokyo

Lexus was once known for making cushy, if not particularly sporty luxury automobiles. But these days the premium Japanese auto marque is getting serious about transforming itself into a performance brand to rival the best from Europe.

To that end, Lexus rolled in to the Tokyo Auto Salon with a number of performance-oriented vehicles. Headlining the line-up is the IS F Club Circuit Sports Racer (pictured above), which upgrades on the already aggressive IS F sports sedan with carbon fiber body panels, race-tuned suspension and other performance accessories.

Lexus also took the occasion to show off the CT 200h F-Sport package, as well as the racing version of the LFA supercar that competed in last year's Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder Gears Up for Limited Production

Want to get your hands on the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder? We'd say you should act fast, but in the year-and-a-half since the vehicle was unveiled, production has reportedly still yet to get underway. But according to reports, when it does, it will be very limited in scope.

Word has it that only 99 examples of the exotic roadster will be produced, and when they are, additional reports indicate that it will eschew its 400-horsepower Audi V8 engine in favor of the 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1. That's more than a 50% increase in power, and if it comes to pass, it will have surely been worth the wait.

Ferrari Presents the All-New FF

Feast your eyes on Ferrari's flagship fastback, the four-seat, four-wheel-drive FF. The initials stand for Ferrari Four in reference to the seat configuration and the new all-wheel drive system, which Ferrari says weighs only half as much as those made by their competitors.

The novel traction system is mated to an all-new 6.3-liter V12 engine with direct injection that produces 651 horsepower. That's enough, says Ferrari, to propel the FF to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 208 mph – both faster and quicker than the 612 Scaglietti it replaces.

It's also lighter than the 612, and features an innovative "shooting brake" body-style that is at once both sleek and versatile, providing as much luggage space as a small hatchback.

Is It The End Of The World In Dubai?

In 2009, I wrote that The World project in Dubai might be in trouble due to the economic downturn. The ambitious development in the Gulf may have another problem on its plate. Reports came out yesterday stating that the islands shaped like countries are sinking back down into the water.

The project has been in trouble for years due to the debt-ridden state of Dubai as well as the logistics of building hundreds of islands in the middle of the water. The picture above shows the project back in 2006 but more recent reports tell of a more misshapen development plagued by erosion. At a property hearing, Richard Wilmot-Smith QC, a British lawyer for a company that ferries people to the islands, told the tribunal that the land is gradually falling back into the sea. Penguin Marine sought to get out of its contract with the developer Nakheel, saying that fewer people are going to the islands is and that the project is essentially falling apart.

Work on the islands has reportedly been stopped for over a year. The project is becoming an ocean wasteland, a half-finished project of rocks and sand surrounded by breakwaters. Work has stopped inside the manmade lagoon and instead of neatly defined islands in the shape of recognizable countries and continents, ragged sandy blobs pushed barely above the water remain.
It's a far cry from the early glamorous days of the project when countries, developers and celebrities around the world clamored for their own country-named islands. Richard Branson planted a Union Jack on one of the islands as one of his infamous stunts. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld signed on to design limited edition homes on Isla Moda, the world's first dedicated fashion island, located in the project. Isla Moda was to have a fashion hotel and a variety of luxury residential villas as well as design studios and dedicated areas for fashion shows and project launches.

Shortly after it was first announced, the World project has had many visitors including Michael Jackson and golfer Vijay Singh. Rumors once had Rod Stewart and David Beckham buying into the project and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee once said he was buying the "Greece" Island for Pamela Anderson but a developer later claimed "Greece" as the site of a luxury hotel. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were reported to have purchased the island "Ethiopia" but that was pure rumor as well. Formula One race car driver Michael Schumacher was given a piece of The World by Dubai's crown prince. Schumacher's island was part of 'Antarctica' on the artificial globe. The 21 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand were to be developed as a resort named Oqyana. In 2007 the Shanghai island was sold to Chinese businessman Bin Hu for $28 million amid a flurry of sales that also included "Greece" selling for $15.5 million, and "Tokyo" going for $45 million.

Developer Nakheel says that 70 percent of The World's 300 islands have been sold but the developer has admitted that the project has slowed down. The Telegraph reports that the only inhabited island is Greenland, which has a show home owned by Dubai's ruler. The Telegraph also mentions that John O'Dolan, whose company bought Ireland for £24million, committed suicide and Safi Qurashi, who bought Britain for £43 million, is serving seven years in jail in Dubai for check fraud.

A spokesman for Nakheel told the Dubai tribunal the scheme was not dead and that it will be completed. That seems ambitious considering that Nakheel is still struggling to deal with its massive debt. Nevertheless, the tribunal found for Nakheel on Thursday, saying it would give full reasoning later.

McLaren Puts a Price Tag on the MP4-12C

If you've been waiting for your opportunity to order the latest supercar from McLaren, you can start setting aside the cash now, as the British racing team turned exotic automaker has announced pricing for the new MP4-12C.

Although the cost with options and add-ons is sure to climb, the 12C will retail for a base $229,000 – pitting it squarely against the $225,000 Ferrari 458 Italia and the $237,000 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4

One-off James Bond Lotus Evora up for grabs

Although this one-off James Bond Lotus Evora isn’t as significant as the gadget-packed 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that was lately sold for £2.6 million, it’s a great buy at a mere £44,995 (about $71,530). Available at auction in Britain, this car has never been actually driven by James Bond, and we might never see it on the big screen. Instead, this Evora has been painted in iconic livery to evoke the Lotus Esprit, which was driven by James Bond in the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only. Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Lotus Cars USA, said that the James Bond 2010 Lotus Evora was specially built by Lotus for a press event in the French Alps.

The one-of-a-kind car has done 12,932 miles since 2009 and it comes complete with a ski rack at an extra cost. There were rumors that the 2010 Evora could be the next Bond car, but that’s not going to happen. The car is being offered for sale at Lotus Silverstone, a British dealership.

Beckham’s used Porsche 911 Turbo auctioned off for $217,100

David and Victoria Beckham are known for their lavish lifestyle and making a style statement in whatever they do. Recently, David’s customized Porsche 911 Turbo went up for sale on eBay. The custom-built 2008 matte-black Porsche was able to fetch a record price of $217,100 for their used and completely customized Porsche. The black Porsche is fitted with heated front seats with Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy jersey number (23) stitched into the headseats, blacked-out headlamps, black alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system, a 23”emblazoned Porsche logo, parking assist, module for telephone PCM and remote CD changer. While a 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo sells for $132,800, this $217,100 price tag is what is known as “The Beckham effect.”

Seksinya rambutku - Jessica Iskandar

Bukan mahu memuji sendiri, tetapi bagi pelakon filem Dealova, Jessica Iskandar, rambut adalah bahagian tubuh yang paling disukainya. Ini kerana bagi Jessica, keseksian dirinya terletak pada kecantikan rambut meski ramai yang mengatakan dia mempunyai bibir yang seksi.

"Ramai yang kata bibir saya seksi. Tetapi bagi saya yang paling seksi adalah rambut saya.

"Kalau nak tahu, dari kecil saya memang teringin nak berambut panjang, tetapi ibu bapa saya tak izinkan sebab ketika itu saya masih sekolah lagi.

"Sebab itulah, sekarang saya simpan sahaja rambut panjang sebab saya suka," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Jessica yang sebelum ini pernah ditegur kerana tampil berimej seksi mengaku mahu mengekalkan imej sederhana bagi menghormati sensitiviti peminat.

Penangan muzik Korea

AKSI 4Minute yang bertenaga atas pentas bijak menggunakan kecantikan mereka untuk mencuri tumpuan penonton.

POPULARITI penyanyi dan pengaruh muzik Korea yang semakin menular kini bagaikan mencipta fenomena baru terhadap perubahan selera muzik anak muda tempatan.

Bermula dengan pengaruh drama bersiri dari negara yang cukup terkenal dengan makanan tradisi kimchi itu, kini rebakan muzik perlahan mahupun rancak ala techno dari negara itu seakan menjadi ‘kegilaan’ remaja tempatan.

Konsert yang julung kali diadakan iaitu DiGi Live K-pop Party 2011 yang berlangsung di Stadium Negara baru-baru ini berjaya menghimpunkan tiga artis Korea di atas pentas yang sama.

Mereka ialah kumpulan muzik yang semakin mendapat perhatian ramai iaitu Beast, 4Minute dan penyanyi solo, G.Na.

Konsert tersebut dibawakan oleh DiGi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd. (DiGi) dengan kerjasama Universal Music Malaysia.

Biarpun kurang memperoleh publisiti mahupun terpampang mana-mana kisah mereka di media cetak, ketiga-tiga artis tersebut bagaikan sudah cukup popular di kalangan peminat setia mereka.

Kesahihan ini dapat dilihat menerusi konsert tersebut di mana lebih 2,500 penonton tidak kira jantina dan peringkat usia hadir menyaksikannya.

Mengakui gementar, ini merupakan persembahan pertama bagi kumpulan 4Minute yang dianggotai oleh lima orang wanita cantik lagi seksi serta penyanyi yang selesa berimej rambut panjang, G.Na atau nama sebenarnya Gina Choi.

Ini berbeza dengan kumpulan Beast yang dianggotai oleh Yoon DuJun, Jang Hyun Seung, Yong Jun Hyung, Yang Yo Seap, Lee Ki Wang dan Sohn Dong Woon apabila ini merupakan persembahan kedua mereka di negara ini.

Kali pertama Beast tampil menghiburkan peminat di negara ini ialah pada 26 Jun tahun lalu iaitu pada Beast Shock Of The New Era di KL Live, Kuala Lumpur.

Pada sidang akhbar yang berlangsung di Hotel Hilton, Kuala Lumpur iaitu tujuh jam sebelum berlangsungnya konsert tersebut, G.Na memberitahu dia sebelum ini banyak mendengar tentang Malaysia.

“Saya dimaklumkan bahawa peminat muzik Korea ramai di Malaysia dan kedatangan saya ke negara ini tentunya memberi pengalaman terbaik. Sejujurnya, saya sangat gementar.

“Melihat peminat menjerit memanggil nama saya membuktikan sokongan mereka kepada saya dan ini secara tidak langsung memberi motivasi kepada diri saya sendiri,” kata G.Na yang mengakui tidak sihat kerana perubahan cuaca.

G.Na pada konsert tersebut tampil membuka tirai persembahan dengan gaya ringkas berseluar jeans dan kemeja-T dilengkapi jaket menyanyikan tiga buah lagu hitnya iaitu I Will Get Lost, You Go Your Way, Take A Bow dan Supa Solo.

Menyorot persembahan G.Na pada malam tersebut, dia memenuhi masa selama 20 minit dengan nyanyian dan tarian yang memukau biarpun terpaksa berulang kali minum air kerana tidak sihat.

Gagal mengawal perasaan gugup barangkali sedikit mengganggu fokus G.Na pada malam tersebut kerana terlupa lirik ketika menyampaikan lagu Take A Bow.

Bagaimanapun, sikap jujur dengan penonton yang ditunjukkan oleh G.Na harus dipuji apabila dia segera memohon maaf kepada penonton kerana gagal mengingati lirik lagu tersebut.

Kumpulan lima wanita, 4Minute tampil dengan gaya ringkas dan berseluar pendek menyanyikan lima buah lagu termasuk Huh, I My Me Mine, Highlight, Music dan Hot Issues.

Menampilkan persembahan yang cukup menarik, 4Minute ternyata bijak menggunakan ruang pentas di kiri dan kanan menandakan ada interaksi dengan penonton di sebelah kanan dan kiri selain mereka yang berada di hadapan pentas.

“Malaysia bagus!” Itu kata-kata yang terlontar daripada mulut kelima-lima gadis jelita itu sebaik tampil di pentas ketika sesi sidang akhbar berlangsung.

Biarpun ini kali pertama mereka melangkahkan kaki ke negara ini, seboleh mungkin mereka cuba membiasakan diri dengan cuaca panas berbanding cuaca sejuk bersalji di negara mereka kini.

Tidak seperti G.Na yang gementar untuk melakukan persembahan.

4Minute memberitahu, mereka telah membuat persediaan dari segi nyanyian dan tarian khas untuk peminat mereka di negara ini.

Mereka dianggotai oleh Hyu Nah, Ji Hyun, Ga Yoon, Ji Yoon dan Soh Yeon.

“Kami suka pemandangan dan alam semulajadi serta peminat-peminat yang ada di sini. Harapan kami pada masa akan datang ada lebih banyak aktiviti di Malaysia,” kata salah seorang anggota 4Minute.

KTM perkenal Duke CKD

DUKE 690R dijual dengan harga RM48,915.

Model 690, 690R dapat sambutan peminat supermoto

KTM Malaysia, pengedar motosikal Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen atau lebih popular dengan nama KTM di negara ini, akan melancarkan model berkuasa tinggi Duke 690 dan Duke 690R pemasangan tempatan (CKD) susulan peningkatan populariti jenama motosikal Austria itu di kalangan peminat motosikal tempatan.

Sumber industri berkata, motosikal berkuasa tinggi dalam kategori Supermoto atau gabungan antara model motosikal jalan raya dan ‘motorcross’ itu akan dijual pada harga atas jalan RM44,800 seunit bagi Duke 690 dan RM48,915 bagi Duke 690R.

Harga itu masing-masing adalah 18.6 peratus atau RM10,272 dan 17.3 peratus atau RM10,262 daripada harga model diimport sepenuhnya (CBU) iaitu RM48,915 seunit bagi Duke 690 dan RM59,177 bagi Duke 690R.

“Supermoto berkuasa tinggi kini semakin mendapat tempat di kalangan peminat motosikal di negara ini, sekali gus membuka peluang kepada KTM Malaysia untuk mengembangkan lagi operasinya menerusi pengenalan beberapa model CBU.

“Buat permulaan model CKD Duke 690 dan Duke 690R diperkenalkan esok, sebelum model Duke 200 pada harga antara RM15,000 hingga RM18,000 seunit dijangka dilancarkan menjelang hujung tahun ini atau awal tahun depan,” katanya ketika dihubungi kelmarin.

Tinjauan Berita Harian di sebuah ejen jualan terlarisnya iaitu Welly World Cycle Sdn Bhd di Sungai Buloh, Selangor, mendapati tempahan bagi kedua model itu sudah pun di buka sejak sebulan lalu.
Bayaran muka yang dikenakan adalah RM15,100 seunit bagi Duke 690 dan RM16,415 seunit bagi Duke 690R dengan kadar faedah pinjaman 4.8 peratus.

Seorang jurujual syarikat berkenaan berkata, jumlah tempahan setakat ini amat memberangsangkan memandangkan populariti penyertaan KTM dalam Moto GP, motorcross serta rali terkenal seperti Paris-Dakar.

Mengenai kegusaran pengguna berhubung kesukaran mendapatkan alat ganti khususnya motosikal keluaran Eropah di negara ini, katanya, perkara itu kini bukan lagi menjadi masalah utama khususnya bagi motosikal KTM.

“Selain ejen jualan di seluruh negara, KTM juga kini memiliki pusat servis dan alat ganti di beberapa bandar utama di Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Terengganu dan Sarawak.

“Alat ganti KTM mudah didapati susulan sambutan memberangsangkan motosikal itu oleh pengguna di negara ini sejak 10 tahun lalu dan harganya juga amat berpatutan,” katanya.