WELCOME TO TAIWO ONALAJA TODAY !!!

COOL VIDEO: "Earn it" A Powerful Commercial of the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport

2012-09-26T21:13:00.002-07:00

This definitely has to be one of my favorites...

C'mon... A dark grey (My preferred car color) 2013 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport, My Favorite dress combination - Smart, semi formal and a lovely lady at the end - Now that just has to be the recipe for success!

Best Commercial ever!!!

I'm sure you'd like it as much as I do!!

Enjoy!!

FUNNY VIDEO: "Decisions" Mercedes-Benz Commercial

2012-09-26T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hahaahahahaaha!!! Check out this really cool, Funny Commercial from Mercedes-Benz -

Starring:
Two Formula One racing champions; Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher,
A heavily pregnant woman, her husband,
Two high performance Sport Sedans, a CLS 63 AMG, and E 63 AMG,
and... erm... a tiny broken down hatchback....

ENJOY!!!

HOT CAR OF THE DAY: The Brand Spanking New 2013 FERRARI F12 Berlinetta

2012-09-25T08:38:00.004-07:00

The 2013 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

These guys just keep pushing the perfomance envelope that little bit further, every single time!!!... Just when you wondered how the engineers at Ferrari HQ (located at Maranello, Province of Modena, Italy) could possibly do better than the recently unleashed hi-tech, hi-performance beast; the 2011 458 Italia... Well, they have.

This is the new flagship. The big kahuna of the Ferrari brand. The F12 Berlinetta, which comprises the latest technology and the best of the know-how of the Italian supercar manufacturer through their 83 year history. The technical details that have gone into this car, and how far the engineers have gone to create this fastest ever Ferrari is mind boggling.

I know you’re itching for the figures. Here they are:

Engine: 6.3 liter V12, Naturally aspirated, putting out 730 Horsepower (*Cough*)

Acceleration: 0 – 100kmph in 3.1 seconds

Top Speed: 340kmph (211mph)

Status: Insane

Set to go head to head with the Aventador, its main competition from fellow Italian company Lamborghini (which Ferrari annually out sells), I have no doubt that this supercar will continue, sucessfully, to cater for the needs of the super wealthy, no-budget-constrained customer base all around the world.

Well done guys.

A Tale of 2 Kings: The 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY versus The 2013 HONDA ACCORD - The Battle continues…

2012-09-25T08:10:00.001-07:00

This is an age-old battle for sales supremacy in the midsize sedan segment that has been raging on for the past 30 years… HERE are the latest entries from the 2 giants who have been skirmishing for the top spot.

The 2012 Toyota Camry and the 2013 Honda Accord

Interestingly, both Japanese, both offering amazing build quality, great 2^nd hand values, low repair/maintenance costs, and mid-level pricing. These 2 car makers seem to have gotten the perfect mix to keep these models flying out the dealerships more quickly than anything else the competition has to offer. Both the Camry and the Accord also, especially here in Nigeria have a loyal fanbase that have either owned an earlier model or have been loyal repeat-customers to either the Toyota or Honda sedan.

Let’s see what the latest entrants have to offer

Really - it's the little details that matter. Subtle things that an ordinary person might overlook are everything to a car guy/girl who would live with his/her brand new pride-and-joy over the next 3-4years. The truth is, that these cars are not really designed from a spare-no-expenses standpoint, such as the high-end luxury flagships that automakers produce to show how far they can go technologically. No. These cars are designed by committee. They are designed, manufactured to save costs on production processes, and marketed to appeal to as wide a category of people as possible,. Priority, here is to sell as many units as possible, and increase profit margins.

Interiors: (Left) The 2012 Toyota Camry and (Right) The 2013 Honda Accord

In the largest automobile market in the world, the U.S. market, last year alone (in 2011) the Camry sold 308,510 units while the Accord moved 235,625 units. Very impressive numbers - by any standard.

The Camry and Accord have grown significantly over the years and become serious sales threats to the native American automakers. Only very recently has the Chevrolet Malibu overtaken the Honda Accord sales-wise, but experts say that the introduction of the 2013 Accord will change that. Other cars competing in the mid-size sedan segment? The Nissan Altima, the Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, and the only-recently-competitive superstars from Korea – the Kia Optima, and Hyundai Sonata.

The Honda Accord, which was introduced to American audiences in 1976 (Seven years before the Camry was introduced in 1983) held a 14 year sales lead over the Camry until 1996. Since then the Camry has taken the lead and hardly ever looked back…. Gaining the top spot for 14 out of the past 15 years (The Accord managed a lead in 2001) – the Camry maintaining an unbroken lead the last ten years straight 2002 – 2011.

Toyota Camry - All 7 generations - Which have you owned/driven?

The Honda Accord - All 9 Generations - Which have you owned/driven?

The Camry and Accord always try to edge each other out by squeezing in that little bit of extra refinement, creature comfort options, and equipment to surpass the other. It’s the little details that matter. Honda has made dozens of small improvements to the Accord for 2013, they really changed the car for the better. The earlier released 2012 Camry, the dominant sales leader, is still fresh and leading the pack.

So Whats New?

This article is Looooong enough as it is, so for the purpose of this text, I’ll consider the mid-range 4-Cylinder options (the highest volume sellers) of both cars. Drop a comment if you’d like to see a comparison on the high-end V6 options.

Now, the Accord, for the 1^st time ever – offers a CVT transmission (Transmission technology that employs an expandable drivebelt rather than the progressive use of cogs to gain speed), as an optional extra on 4-Cylinder models, and has more standard features on lower trim levels compared to the Camry – Handsfree calls on Bluetooth enabled phones, plus keyless ignition, yes, you can start the car with the key fob in your pocket, back-up camera, plus passenger-side mirror camera to help check your blind spot, and Dual zone climate – all standard on the mid-range EX model. To get most of these features on the Camry, you may need to go up to the higher XLE model.

Rear Views - (Left) 2012 Camry, (Right) 2013 Accord

The Newer 2013 Accord Handles Slightly better, Is Slightly Quicker and Slightly More Fuel Efficient
There's plenty going on between the 2013 Honda Accord and 2012 Toyota Camry. Honda has replaced its usual automatic with a CVT that surprisingly performs really very good. Also, Honda's new direct-injected, 185 horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder has a smooth power delivery. This makes the 2013 Accord one of the quickest non-turbocharged four-cylinder models in the class with its 7.8-second sprint from 0 - 100kph.

Meanwhile, the Camry's 178 horsepower, port-injected 2.5-liter engine with its 6-speed automatic is capable of a 0 – 100kph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds. Quick, respectable, but a few tenths of a second below the Accord.

Handling still matters in a front-drive midsize sedan. A well-damped suspension will keep the journey that little bit more exciting and the Honda Accord has always been known to possess a slightly stiffer, slightly sportier ride than the Toyota Camry. Toyota has always been more interested in providing a slightly softer ride for the Camry with more emphasis on comfort than sporty handling. But for 2012, Toyota have stiffened things up a bit, with a tighter, more sporty drive, especially on the SE model, but still, the Accord has the upper hand here if your preference is a sporty drive. If you’re a fan of a smoother, more comfy ride, the Camry wins it. They both utilize new electric power steering systems.

Honda has also gained the upper hand in fuel economy, as the 2013 Accord has a 30 mpg combined EPA rating to the Camry's 28 mpg combined rating. Mpg means miles-per-gallon, and a gallon is estimated at 4 litres (translations for the non-motoring elite… Ha!)

2012 Camry Front and Rear Seats

2013 Accord Front and Rear Seats

Same Interior Dimensions, Different Interior Decorators
In terms of functionality, the 2013 Honda Accord and 2012 Toyota Camry are equally good. They have the same wheelbase and track, and their passenger volume and trunk capacity are within 1 cubic foot of each other. They even have the same size fuel tank. So if you're looking for plenty of rear legroom or an easy car seat installation, they've both got you covered.

In terms of design, this is subjective and purely down to individual preferences, but the stitching on the Camry’s dashboard, as well as it’s multi-layer design seems fantastic too. It’s down to your tastes on this one.

Stylish Sheetmetal? Exterior Design.

The 2013 Honda Accord is definitely the most sculpted Accord ever, carrying more creases, lines and curves than ever before. It has a very similar silhouette to the outgoing model, but just like the Camry, both companies didn’t want to mess with an already winning formula and didn’t deviate too far from the already successful designs of the predecessors.

The 2012 Toyota Camry, on the other hand appears edgier, with more corners than curves and more muscular than the outgoing model. Both are particularly handsome cars and should continue to appeal to plenty of customers. Which design do I prefer? Personally I’d go with the Camry, but that’s just me.

Final Word
Toyota Camry, continues to lead in popularity, and seems to have the best overall customer appeal as evidenced by annual sales figures… lets see how the market reacts to these two ultra popular sedans with the introduction of the all-new Accord. You have all the info. Check these images out, or go to a dealer to see for yourself, take a test drive, then comment here for further discussions.

Whew!!!

Dear T.O.T. Readers – Apologies for the Break, People! I’m Baaaaack!!!

2012-09-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the break in transmission guys, we’re back to regular programming!!!

Keep checking back for the latest in motoring, lifestyle and inspiration, right here on TAIWO ONALAJA TODAY!!!

Thankyou

Yours Truly

Signed

Taiwo Onalaja

MOTORING: Unveiled!!! The All-New NEW 2013 MAZDA 6 !!!

2012-09-07T06:56:00.001-07:00

The 2014 Mazda 6 was unveiled at the 2012 Moscow Auto Show. The model unveiled, as well as all specifications released, are for the Russian market only. U.S. specifications will be announced at a later date. A major change on the line-up is that the 2013 model was conspicuously without the outgoing model's 272-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine option. But no details were released on the U.S. version of the midsize sedan, or whether the V6 will remain on the US/Global market line-up.

The Russian-spec 2013 Mazda 6 gets two engine choices: a 148-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 189-horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. No plans for hybrid or diesel options were mentioned.

The 2014 Mazda 6 is set to battle such competitors as the 2013 Nissan Altima, 2013 Honda Accord, 2011 Hyundai Sonata, and the segment sales leader, the 2012 Toyota Camry.

MORE PICS / MORE INFO HERE

The Mazda 6 is a critical car for the Japanese automaker because it's the first in the Mazda lineup to be designed entirely under the ‘Skyactiv’ engineering initiative. It definitely has a much fresher, edgier look and some appealing new features. Hopefully for Mazda, the new 6 could finally land on the shopping lists of mainstream sedan buyers.

Ever Dreamt of owning James Bond’s ASTON MARTIN DBS? Well, Now you can!!! (Also the ‘Must See’ Official Auction Catalogue for Bond’s 50th Anniversary)

2012-09-07T05:21:00.002-07:00

Christie's is an international company that offers art auctions and private sales to clients around the globe. This year, to mark off the 50^th anniversary of the British secret agent’s escapades, they will be auctioning a variety of items from the film’s illustrious series - all the way back to the first film – DR. NO starring Sean Connery released in 1962


Intense car chase scene from Quantum of Solace

The Damaged Grand Tourer after filming

Yes, James Bond’s Quantum of Solace (2008) Aston Martin is one of the items up for auction at Christie’s — but it's totally understandable if these first images don’t convince you to bid, as It’s bashed up, dusty and riddled with bullet holes (oh, and erm… least of all…, a torn out driver’s door. No big deal). All this as it speeds through some winding Italian roads, as the bad guys chase 007, simultaneously ramming into the car and spraying it with gunfire.

That’s enough to take the shine off of any ultra-luxury dream car. But, don’t worry, it’ll be getting a proper patch-up before you have the opportunity to purchase the vehicle for a jaw-dropping amount of money.
Christie’s has announced the charity auction, beginning in late September, with Bond’s flashy wheels, the 6-liter, V12, 510 Horsepower Aston Martin DBS two-door Coupe, taking the top spot.

The 2008 Aston Martin DBS - what the restored car will look like

The entire auction seems tailor-made for the Bond devotee who wants to collect obscure memorabilia like, say, a smaller-scale replica of the space shuttle used in 1979′s Moonraker (see pg. 62 in the OFFICIAL AUCTION CATALOGUE - Link provided below) or Pierce Brosnan’s two-piece charcoal suit worn in 1999′s The World Is Not Enough (pg. 100-101). Also up for auction, rather unbelievably, is a “Please Do Not Disturb” sign that afforded a degree of privacy to Bond (and perhaps someone else) in a hotel room in 1964′s Goldfinger (pg. 28-29).

My personal favorite? The golden belt worn by Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) during, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). The belt is fastened by two buckles - which are golden bullets (pg. 54-55). Nice!

Hit the Jump HERE for more details as well as your link to view the exclusive catalogue!!!

Christie’s Official James Bond 007 Auction Catalogue: http://christies.scene7.com/s7/brochure/flash_brochure.jsp?company=Christies&sku=CSK4314_SaleCat&config=Christies/eCat-Black_Full&locale=en&image=Christies/CSK4314_SaleCat

So, what would be the going price for this Bond-esque luxury? It’ll set you back roughly $160,000 to $230,000, according to the Christie’s estimate (pg 160-161). A used 2008 DBS will cost about $156,000.

The classic 1963 Aston Martin DB5 that featured in both Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965), the one with the revolving registration plate, ejector seat, and machine guns, was sold for £2,912,000 ($4,608,500) at RM Auctions on the 27^th October 2010 to an American bidder who plans to display it at his private collection in Ohio. 4.6 Million Dollars?!?

The 1963 Aston Martin DB5 popularly called the "Bondmobile"

So you might pay a bit of a premium given the car’s prestigious former owner — but maybe some of that 007 suaveness will rub off on you from the car’s leather seats – just DON'T piss off any villains this time.

MOTORING: HOT CAR OF THE DAY!!! The Fantastic 2013 BMW M5

2012-09-06T04:54:00.001-07:00

The 2013 BMW M5

As if the standard 5 Series wasn’t beautiful/performance oriented enough! BMW’s M division GmbH, hot rod tuning arm has added a HUGE dollop of Smoking Hot Sauce to an already amazing recipe… The Result?

· A unique Twin-Turbocharged & Intercooled 4.4 liter V8 engine generating 560 Horsepower

· Awe-inspiring 0 – 100 km/h acceleration of 3.7 seconds

· A unique, reinforced and re-ratio’d, 7-speed dual-clutch auto/ 6-Speed manual transmission;

· A unique, electronic limited-slip differential with unique aluminum horse-collar mounts for added rigidity.

· A unique suspension with forged aluminum components

· A unique variable-ratio steering gear with hydraulic boost

· A unique braking system, comprising iron-and-aluminum brake rotors clamped by unique radial-mount, monoblock front calipers housing six asymmetrically sized pistons per wheel;

· A unique M5 19-inch light alloy wheel package: Front Rubber 265/40 R19 tires, and wider 295/40 R19 Rear Rubber

This is a specially tuned 5 Series for the gentleman with a driving ‘wild side’… Check out the special front bumpers with massive twin air intakes, as well as the quad-exhaust tail pipes! A beast of a Car. Definitely qualifies for our HOT CAR OF THE DAY!!!

MOTORING: HOLD YOUR BREATH… It’s the 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

2012-09-05T09:27:00.003-07:00

The 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

How could you possibly improve on the existing Rolls-Royce Flagship? Difficult? Correct! The 2013 carries over the awesomeness of the most opulent brand the world has ever known – with just a few improvements to make even the best better!

Complementing the already corpulent 453-bhp, 531 lb.-ft. of torque, direct-injection 6.7-liter V-12 engine is an even smoother ZF 8-speed automatic transmission that makes the Phantom accelerate to speed with fervor, much like a jetliner taking flight. The added benefit of more gears improve the car’s fuel economy by 10%. For more vigorous drivers, available for the first time is a dynamic package that includes stiffer anti-roll bars, suspension and sportier gearbox and brake settings.

Unmatched opulence... The 2013 Rolls Royce Phantom Series II

453 Horsepower not too big a deal? Your 2010 Honda Accord generates 190 horsepower (even in V6 guise just 272). Oh sorry sir… Did I hear you say you drive a Mercedes S-Class S550? Well, that’s also only just 382 horsepower. Silence… Please... just kidding :-)

CLICK HERE to see More Photos (The Sedan, Coupe & Drophead Coupe Versions)

Changes on the exterior? Sure… The most noticeable change is in rectangular all-LED headlamps. In addition to the thin daylight running light bar dividing the upper driving lights and lower high beams, the entire LED cluster is fully adaptable, where intensity and coverage area depend on vehicle speed. Styling touches for the sedan include a revised front and rear fascia and, for the coupes, a new single-piece grille. Inside the extravagant cabin, laden with leather, premium wood trim and plush carpet, is a new infotainment system with a larger 8.8-in. screen (up from 6.5 in the previous model) allowing for easier satellite navigation and access to a variety of connected devices via your USB.


(L - R) The Coupe, Sedan and Drophead Coupe versions of the Phantom

A welcome feature is the 360-degree top camera view that allows you to see everything around the car for easier maneuvers in tight spaces. The model line includes the sedan, the extended wheelbase version, the Coupé and the Drophead Coupé.

453 Horsepower 6.7 liter engine… Sportier dynamics… Plush handcrafted finishing… Unmatched road presence… Go ahead… Dream.

MOTORING: Take another Look: The OUTRAGEOUS lines on the RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

2012-09-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque

Okay I’ll start rather unusually, by admitting the very apparent shortcomings of this bad boy baby Range…. Most apparent is its Price… The Evoque’s least-expensive get-in option— the base Pure Plus five-door model—is MORE Expensive than upscale, higher optioned versions of its main competition, the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLK. (using its list MSRP price in US Dollars). It also doesn’t offer a V6 option – which is standard on almost all the competition listed above, save the BMW X3, which offers an in-line 6 Cylinder as an option. Power from the Turbocharged 4-Cylinder 2.2 Liter petrol engine is very decent though for a car of this size, at 236 Horsepower . There are slightly less powerful turbodiesel options available for those who value economy as a higher priority than performance.

Finally… (Now this isn’t really,… er… technically a disadvantage… its just how it sounds…) the Evoque has a… *cough*… *cough* … a Front wheel drive option… *cough*. Yes, you read correctly. A front wheel drive option… allowing the mighty Range Rover nameplate rub shoulders with the likes of the Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V or even the Nissan X-Trail. Well, don’t worry - that’s just for the bare-bones option, and should be okay, as most of the Evoques buyers will be purchasing it as a style statement and never venture anywhere outside their well-paved daily commutes to the office, spa or restaurant.

NOW – to the juicy bits!!! At the heart of all the plus sides of this baby Range are the factors inherited from its 42 year heritage behind the Range Rover brand!

Click HERE for the PLUS SIDES!!!

Firstly, its competitors - the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLK—do not, and cannot offer – the SERIOUS OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY associated with the Land Rover Badge. When it comes to episodes of bouncing around in wild terrain, rocky trails, or deeply rutted mud tracks - all possibly in the worst imaginable weather - this small-scale Range Rover would leave its German rivals glued down or high-centered in some lonely valley, while the driver looks for a tow cable (and an Evoque to help).

Secondly the Evoque has inherited the Range Rover’s ridiculously plush cabin, and mind boggling standard features, which include an electric parking brake, hill start assist, push button start, 17-inch alloy wheels, partial leather seats, Oxford leather (multifunctional) steering wheel and gear shifter, electrically operated and heated exterior mirrors with directional indicators, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control, eight-speaker audio system and Bluetooth phone and music streaming.

And best of all - the Evoque’s strongest call card… is… the way it looks. It has the highest desirability in it’s segment and possesses the head turning capability of a Lamborghini Aventador , or Ferrari F12 Berlinetta… (Yeah… Google them). The steep sloping roof line, muscular bulges, and those beautifully shaped signature LED headlights all come together in a way the market is yet to recover from - it sells internationally like hot cakes and is the leader of its market segment ahead of all the competition stated above – despite being the newcomer.

Well , despite the flaws, WELL DONE Land Rover *Thumbs up guys* - You’ve scored another hit!

MOTORING: All-New 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER – Sorry… Not Impressed

2012-09-05T08:59:00.001-07:00

Nissan has finally released all the details surrounding its new 2013 Pathfinder, the fourth generation of the popular SUV.

This is possibly the most fuel efficient Pathfinder yet. Engineers at Nissan have achieved the amazing feat of shedding around 500 pounds from the weight of the outgoing 2012 model--the lightest model is now 4,149 pounds. The interior is more upscale than ever before – with options and amenities more luxurious and extensive than any Pathfinder before it, with premium features such as: heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping features, push-button engine starting, an advanced Bose sound system with 13 speakers, tri-zone climate control system, a power rear liftgate, iPod integration, and Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which shows the driver a virtual 360-degree image of the area around the vehicle.

I’m sure you’re getting slightly confused now? Considering my “Not Impressed” title? Don’t be. Hit the jump to read WHY...

The Main things that has made the Pathfinder Fantastic for decades (in my opinion – yes, its my blog) are the bullish, masculine styling and the off-road body-on-frame layout of the chassis. Both have been thrown out the window to just to favor fuel economy, weight and I-have-no-idea-what-else! The 2013 Pathfinder adopts a car-like unibody platform, the same one found in existing models like the Murano, Quest, Maxima, and Altima! (What?!?) Even the butch, hairy-chested 5-Speed Automatic gearbox has been ditched for a CVT Transmission (What?!?) and worst of all is its exterior styling… gone is the masculine, boxy, muscular design… in, is the ugly, bulbous, swollen, appearance! C’mon Nissan, this IS supposed to be a Pathfinder!!! From the back it looks like a Space-Bus!!!

Honestly, I don’t know what Nissan were thinking when redesigning this icon… were they trying to convert it to a pick-the-kids-from-school-mommy-wagon against its tradition of being a fully capable off-roader? Hard to justify this from the same company that brought us such SUV hits as the 2011 Patrol/Infinity QX56! Well, you cant win them all, and this to me definitely is a No No.

The much better looking outgoing model.

INSPIRATION: Just For You! A few pearls of wisdom from the Great People / Organisations on my Twitter feed!

2012-09-05T08:48:00.002-07:00

Feeling a little low? Slightly Confused? Need a little get-up-and-go? Check out these guiding words, inspirational phrases from some of the people I follow on Twitter! All the best!

Put a Face to Your Favorite Quote!

Pastor Bolaji Idowu ‏@pastorbolaji

The key to remaining relevant is constant improvement. Do something to improve yourself today - Pastor Bolaji

John C Maxwell ‏@JohnCMaxwell

It's better to look uninformed than to be uninformed. Curb your ego & keep asking questions. -Richard Thalheimer

Joel Osteen ‏@JoelOsteen

Anytime God puts a dream in your heart, you can be sure the critics will show up. Choose to rise above the negative voices!

John C Maxwell ‏@JohnCMaxwell

Procrastination is opportunity's natural assassin. -Victor Kiam

Dr. Mike Murdock ‏@drmikemurdock

When You Choose a Focus..You Choose Your Feelings. #drMM #fb

BrianTracy ‏@BrianTracy

"Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." -- Robert Louis Stevenson.

Rick Warren ‏@RickWarren

Anytme you use the word "impossible" listen for laughter from heaven. See Matt. 19:26

MOTORING: Cool Stuff you didn’t know you could do with your Keyless entry key fob!

2012-09-05T08:42:00.001-07:00

Stuff like lowering your windows (sunroof too if equipped) to let out the heat without getting in!

The temperature inside your car can get SERIOUSLY hot on sunny days, regardless of the temperature outside. When you get to your car and it's boiling hot, what's the first thing you do? You lower the windows and blast the air conditioner, right?

A cool, convenient feature that's been around for years, but unknown to many car owners, is the ability to lower the windows with the key remote. This allows you to start cooling your car without having to get in first. Unless your dealer told you about this trick, or you happen to have read your owner’s manual (one in Ten Trillion people do), you may never have heard of this really old trick.

The trick usually involves pressing the remote's unlock button, releasing it, then pressing it again and holding it down. In some cars, instead of using the remote, you can insert your key in the door lock and turn it in the direction that unlocks (clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the make), release, then turn it again (same direction) and hold. Cars equipped with a sunroof will also include it as a window in this operation, while some convertibles with automatic tops will shut.

Please note that this works on about 85 -90 % of all car makes, so don’t get pissed off or damage the unlock button on your keys (or break your fob with a sledge hammer) if it doesn’t work with the 1^st few tries.
Thanks!

MOTORING: The BOLD New Face of LEXUS: The “SPINDLE GRILLE”

2012-08-29T18:04:00.002-07:00

Before now, the Lexus vehicle line-up has never really been distinctly recognizable as, say for instance, the BMW with its double-kidney grille, dating as far back as 1930, or the Mercedes Benz, with it’s wide chrome strips and horizontal louvers.

Would you know you were looking at a Lexus if you saw its grille? Not exactly memorable, let alone iconic. Indeed, Lexus has long been criticized in automotive circles as being a dull brand in need of a fresh face.

The Spindle Grille

Now, as part of its biggest makeover in years, one that is more than sheet metal-deep, Lexus is rolling out what executives hope will be a breakthrough look: The Lexus "spindle grille." Created (almost accidentally) by Katsuhiko Inatomi (pictured below) , the lead designer of the 2013 Lexus GS, the spindle grille leads the way in Lexus’ new design direction. Lexus is trying to get some attitude as it seeks a higher sales altitude. The grille is a symbol of the wider transformation which includes riskier styling, edgier marketing, more-responsive, performance oriented vehicles and better customer service.

Yo Hiruta, (left), Lexus Division global design chief, and Katsuhiko Inatomi (right), GS lead designer, played key roles in the look of the new spindle grille.

"Customers want stronger character, a stronger expression of the premium brand," says Yo Hiruta, Global Design Chief for Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus Division (also pictured below). "We decided to use the grille in that more powerful way." He adds: "This a very, very important turning point."

More Details on Lexus’ New Grille and Direction

While the grille may be cosmetic, it points to much deeper changes at Lexus. The new formula: sportier designs and more performance-oriented engineering – which is manifested in the new 2013 Lexus GS, a car that automotive journalists the world over are comparing to the BMW 5 Series in terms of driving dynamics. The brand is chasing younger customers and taking more risks.

The new Lexus spindle grille introduced earlier on the LF-Gh concept, was formally launched on the new 2013 GS Sedan that hit U.S. Showrooms in February. Later appearing on the ES, RX, LX, and LS models. The grille will spread to the rest of the Lexus line-up and its here to stay!

The LF-LC Future Vehicle

What do you think of the new design?

Taiwo Onalaja’s Thoughts: Much needed face-lift – Looks like Lexus is better poised to engage it’s German rivals “The Big 3” Audi, BMW and Mercedes!

MOTORING: Industry Giants TOYOTA and SUBARU join forces to create an Exhilarating, Lightweight, Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car that’s “Affordable” and “Fun to Drive”

2012-08-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Here they are: The Toyota GT 86 (Toyota calls it the Scion FR-S in the United States) and Subaru BRZ.

They are awesome. Here’s why:

They’re rear-wheel-drive sports cars with flat-four boxer engines.
They’re extremely light for what they are, weighing around 2,600 pounds.
They’re nimble, agile and very sporty to drive.
They’re MUCH more affordable than almost any other rear-drive sports coupe
They’re gorgeous.
Tested and Trusted build quality from two giants in reliable cars.

Currently on Sale around the world, anticipation of these cars was massive all through the auto industry, as the automakers finally unveiled them at the Tokyo auto show earlier this year. They were developed in a corporate partnership and are essentially the same car.

Truly amazing cars, updating the classic Japanese sports coupes of the 1970s - with thoroughly modern direct-injection boxer engines bolted to a proper six-speed manual, or optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

2-Litre flat-four boxer engines generate 200 Horsepower/151 lb-ft of Torque and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 6 seconds (That’s tenths of a second faster that a 3.5-Litre V6 Honda Accord /Toyota Camry)

Click Here for more details as well as Industry experts comments on the GT86/FR-S/BRZ

These cars were purpose-built to be exceptionally fun to drive, and priority was given to that, rather than generating excessively high engine output or acceleration figures – as found in much more expensive thoroughbreds such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bugatti, etc They are priced in about the same neighborhood as a Camry.

The rear wheel drive layout delivers a more engaging, thorough driving experience as opposed to the cheaper to manufacture, higher fuel economy front wheel drive layout found in practically EVERY other japanese car.

Tetsuya Tada, the Chief Engineer on the GT 86, said as much in an excellent interview with Bertell Schmidt of The Truth About Cars:

“There is a Toyota standard for designing new cars,” he said. “This standard was to a large extent ignored. Why did we do this? There are cars that are accepted by a lot of people. Practical cars that are easy to drive and that do not break easily. These are standard Toyota cars. The 86 is not a car like that. We had to change our design approach for this car. We may have to do this again for other cars.”cars that are affordable, fun and soul-stirring.

Sam Smith (MSN Autos): “The GT 86 suggests Toyota is waking from its long slumber. The GT 86 is Toyota building a car that stirs the soul, incites some passion. It is Toyota building a car, not an appliance.”

Autoblog: “It's pretty safe to say that the Toyota GT 86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ joint venture has been quite a success so far. Here at Autoblog, we've had nothing but nice things to say about the Toyobaru coupe, and it's a similar story elsewhere in the automotive press.”

Taiwo Onalaja's Thoughts: I've got to see what these feel like to drive!!! This car is getting rave reviews from automotive journalists everywhere!!! Nice one Toyota/Subaru

Which would you rather own? It's all down to badge preference...

MOTORING: Mercdes-Benz quietly shuts down Maybach, it’s ultra luxury division – after nearly a decade of losses

2012-08-28T11:10:00.001-07:00

Ok this isn’t new… but quite a few people I’ve spoken to recently (even car guys) didn’t know.

The discontinued Maybach

Ending almost a decade of losses, Daimler is shutting down its ultra-luxury Maybach brand. It would not make sense to develop a successor model," Chairman Dieter Zetsche said, "The coming S-Class is in such a way a superior vehicle that it can replace the Maybach." (Talking about the soon to be released 2013 S-Class)

The discontinued Maybach

Here's how the Maybach brand came into existence: When Rolls-Royce and Bentley came up for sale at the end of the 1990s, Mercedes decided it wasn’t interested. One executive said at the time, "At the end of the day, we said we didn't want to play this game. The price was too high."

More Details...

The discontinued Maybach

Mercedes's German rivals did want to play, however. BMW bought over Rolls-Royce, and Volkswagen got Bentley. Fearful of being left out of the high status game, Mercedes re-thought its position and decided it needed to be in the ultra-luxury business too, but it went after it in a remarkably clumsy way by developing it on an aging S-Class chassis rather than the approach of Bentley and Rolls – Developing a new car from the ground up.

It just didn't compute. Even the booming luxury car market in China wasn't enough to move Maybach off the starting line. It quickly became apparent that the brand was in trouble, and Mercedes sensibly never invested in updating the model line. In 2010 only 157 Maybachs -- from a brand nearly a decade old -- were sold globally, according to Automotive News, while BMW moved 2,711 similarly priced Rolls. That’s very poor performance sales-wise.
Mercedes plans to expand its top-of-the line Mercedes segment -- the S-Class -- to six variations from the current three when a new generation of the flagship model is launched in 2013 in an attempt to fill in the void in the Ultra luxury segment.

Taiwo Onalaja’s Thoughts: RIP Maybach… But hold on… The thought of an S-Class that can match Bentley / Rolls-Royce??? That’s DEFINITELY worth waiting to see!!!

INSPIRATION: Feeling a little down? Confused? Stuck in a Rut? Here are SEVEN POWERFUL quotes… Just for you this Tuesday… Enjoy :-)

2012-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

Just For You… Some Golden Nuggets of Wisdom, Help and Advice from some great people on my Twitter Feed…


Put a Face to Your Favorite Quote!

Alline Cassiane ‏@allinecassiane

You will not get what you want... You will get what you seek for...

Rick Warren ‏@RickWarren

Circumstances change when I change.

Andreas Huebner ‏@_AndreasHuebner

"Doubt" can abort your vision while it's still in the womb ---

"Faith" can raise your vision from the dead.

Alec Ross ‏@AlecJRoss

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Gandhi

*Alec Ross is the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senior Advisor for Innovation.

Dr.ME Benson-Idahosa ‏@MargaretIdahosa

The MORE you sweat in training the LESS you bleed on the battle field.

HICC ‏@hiccworld

#ThePowerOfVision: It's impossible to scale the hurdles of life without a drive and that drive is Vision.@pastorbolaji

Taiwo Onalaja ‏@TaiwoONALAJA

There are 2 ways to die. Either you stop breathing... or you stop dreaming.

Jeremy Clarkson ‏@jcrclarksonesq

Simon Cowell lives near me. I think I will burgle his house.

*Jeremy Clarkson is the leading presenter on the BBC’s biggest TV show – Top Gear

Errm…. Sorry about the last one… couldn’t help it… Well, I only promised you 7, so I can’t be held accountable for that :-)

News/Updates: EXPENDABLES 2 – The Definition of Stars with Staying Power!

2012-08-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

Truly - Age is of the Mind

Don’t agree- Here are some cold, hard figures on the Movie Expendables 2…

Sylvester Stallone Age 66

Arnold Shwarzenneger Age 65

Jean Claude Van Damme Age 51

Chuck Norris Age 72

Bruce Willis Age 57

Dolph Lundgren Age 54

Box Office Position (at time of posting) No. 1 in the United States

Enough said.

Lead by Sylvester Stallone, these ‘old’ guys, hit the gym, rehearsed their one-liners, got back on track and pulled decent revenues at the box office competing with stars a fraction of their age, wowing die-hard fans and newcomers alike with classic 80’s style mayhem! Commendable.

72 year old Norris is said to have the highest body-count in the movie(LOL), while 51 year old JCVD insisted on not using cables or special effects to do his famous helicopter kick during the final brawl with Stallone! “The audience are increasingly sophisticated and can spot a fake” he said –“All I had to do was jump 6 feet in the air, spin, and kick”. Yeah, easy, right?

Click here for more Details on the Stars, Their Upcoming Movies (Trailers included)

Shwarzenneger is also releasing another new action movie THE LAST STAND where he plays a small town sheriff facing it off with a huge Mexican drug cartel – True Arnold Shwarzenneger style – Big Guns firing off Zillions of rounds. Dolph Lundgren, JCVD are also doing a sequel of UNIVERSAL SOLDIER, while Lundgren is also co-starring in a major title released in the UK today – ONE IN THE CHAMBER – with Cuba Gooding-Jr. Nice one guys…

The 80’s action Heroes are BACK!!!!

If a bunch of 60 year olds coming back to the big screen against all odds isn’t enough to get you fired up to pick up & re-invent yourself, then almost nothing will.

Which 80s action Hero is your Favorite? Hit the links below to see the trailers…

Expendables 2 Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQf3YP8p85I

The Last Stand Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yMc9h3h9bs

One in the Chamber Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=NG&feature=plcp&hl=en-GB&v=Yu8R0cPfse0

MOTORING: ALL NEW 2013 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER – Official Images, New Info!!!

2012-08-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

The first official images of the 2013 Range Rover were released to the media slightly ahead of its world debut in September.

All New Land Rover Range Rover

The redesigned Range Rover borrows some design cues from it’s smaller sibling - the Range Rover Evoque, but the BIG NEWS is that this Range Rover has lost 700 pounds(Wow!) , thanks to an all-aluminum unibody structure. The 2013 Range Rover arrives in U.S. showrooms in December.

"The new aluminum platform delivers significant enhancements in performance and agility, along with an improvement in fuel economy and reduction in CO2 emissions," said Land Rover in a statement.

Land Rover confirmed that the 2013 Range Rover "will continue to offer a choice of V8 engines in the North American market, enhanced by new Eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions (Nice!!!)

Click here for more images

Perfect Adaptability in both worlds

The 2013 Range Rover gets a re-engineered four-corner air suspension and new suspension architecture to deliver flatter cornering abilities. The cabin gets some improvements as well, with rear legroom increasing by 4.7 inches. A two-place rear seating package is optional.

Taiwo Onalaja’s thoughts: A major Off-road icon with great driving characteristics on the paved roads, has been made much better with much less weight and new engine technologies – this should easily be a more capable/ more successful Range Rover than its predecessor.

What are your thoughts? Dreaming of grabbing that wheel? Let's have your commments pls

MOTORING: ALL - NEW 2013 Honda Accord - Official Images Released

2012-08-27T15:39:00.001-07:00

The first images of the 2013 Accord and Accord Coupe were unveiled recently in the United States.

2013 Honda Accord

Honda described the 2013 Accord in the following ways; The "most sculpted Accord ever", adding that "The 2013 Accord's styling is expressive, sophisticated and premium."

The Accord is set to go on sale in the us September 2012. Honda said the redesigned Accord is "bigger on the inside and smaller on the outside."

"Smart interior packaging allows for increased passenger and cargo space in both the sedan and coupe, while the overall exterior lengths are noticeably shortened, contributing to a sportier driving character and easier parking," the manufacturer explained further.

Click here to view the 2013 Honda Accord Coupe as well as engine options

The new Accord would offer a choice of three different engines. The base engine will be a new 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder with direct injection. A revised version of the current 3.5-liter V6 will also be available that features improved power and higher mileage figures. An Accord Plug-In Hybrid will eventually join the lineup and feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine coupled to a 120kW electric motor. Optional LED daytime running lights, headlights and taillights would be offered on the 2013 Accord.

2013 Honda Accord Coupe

Taiwo Onalaja's Thoughts: The Accord is a strong seller here in Nigeria, and I’m sure this should do well too. Picture may not look too different than the current model, but trust me, the car will look much more sophisticated in person! Plus I love the thought of the V6 option's performance and the look of the twin exhaust pipes!

Let me have your thoughts on the new Honda

LIFESTYLE: New James Bond 007 Fragrance to be released by Harrods, Procter and Gamble, EON in 2012

2012-08-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Even MORE Anniversary news to mark the start of my new blog! How suitable!!! :-)

To mark the 50th anniversary of James Bond on the big screen, London department store Harrods is launching the official 007 Fragrance. The aftershave is a collaboration between Procter and Gamble and EON -- the production firm behind the film franchise -- and is described as "a robust signature scent which embodies the duality of Bond; an opulent blend of sophistication and masculinity."

Bill Brace, vice president of P&G's prestige division, said the fragrance was "a good opportunity to give men access to the high-end world of 007. James Bond has the right ingredients to delight men with a fragrance: it's timeless, aspirational, iconic..."

The New Bond Fragrance

So, TOT readers, If you want the same scent as Bond, which will undoubtedly make you feel irresistible, dangerous and on the edge, you can pick up the fragrance from Harrods (online and in-store) which has been available from August 15th.

MOTORING: Lamborghini prepares for Ground-breaking 50th Anniversary in 2013

2012-08-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

Even more celebration in the automotive industry as Automobili Lamborghini announces plans for celebrations ahead of their landmark 50^th Anniversary coming May 7^th 2013. The Italian manufacturer of supercars, and soon an SUV, did make several exciting announcements.

There would be celebrations held in Italy and abroad THROUGHOUT 2013 , which will culminate in the week starting May 7, the same week in which 50 years ago Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. was incorporated and the inaugural foundation stone laid at its factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Supercar

Click here for MORE on the 50th PLUS Hot new pics of 1st EVER Lamborghini Concept SUV

URUS Concept SUV in Beijing with Lamborghini President & CEO Stefan Winkelmann

The highlight of the celebrations will be an epic 750-mile rally (**Whaat?!? 750 Miles? That’s 1207km!!! Lagos to Kaduna is 781km**) through Italy during the special week, with hundreds of Lamborghini supercars, from the historic GTs to the latest exotics, expected to participate. It is expected to be the biggest Lamborghini rally in history, running nearly the length of Italy, and it will be attended by Lamborghini owners and dealers from all over the world.

Some of the stops will include Milan, Forte dei Marmi, Rome, Bologna and the Lamborghini factory at Sant’Agata Bolognese. At each stop, Lamborghini fans will be able to get a close hand look at all the cars.

A special website for the tour--www.lamborghini50.com--has gone live, and if you’re interested in partaking (assuming you’ve taken possession of a shiny new Lambo by May ’13) you can register at the site from September 20 onwards. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said this was only a preview, so more could be announced in the near future. (Just kidding - you dont have to own a Lamborghini to register and attend the event) :-)

MOTORING: Mercedes-Benz celebrates 60th Anniversary of its iconic 2-Door Sports Car

2012-08-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

Mercedes’s legendary SL-Class range is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Starting with the 300SL (pictured below) from 1952, up to the new 2012 SL-Class range including the special anniversary edition SL 65 AMG (Also Pictured below).

Experience the history of an exceptional sports car. Click the link below to watch the Official Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozUvXuzVDvI

Taiwo Onalaja’s thoughts: The SL 65 AMG is an absolute BEAST in terms of raw performance and driving dynamics - the maximum output of the AMG V12 6-litre Biturbo engine is up from 450 kW (612 hp) in the previous model to 463 kW (630 hp). The maximum torque is 1000 newton metres. The monstrous V12 is capable of an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds flat, with the 200 km/h mark attained after just 11.8 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h because of driving regulations - This is extreme engineering, effortless superiority and stylishness to perfection.

2012 SL 65 AMG V12

1952 300SL

Which shape/generation is your favorite?

Welcome to TAIWO ONALAJA TODAY!!!

2012-08-26T21:09:00.002-07:00

Welcome to my All-New Blog/Site!!! I'll provide you with the Freshest and Most Entertaining content in Motoring, Lifestyle, My Interviews, Really Cool Updates & Inspiration! ENJOY!!
- Taiwo Onalaja!

Taiwo Onalaja