which is which

April 27th, 2005 by the-real-kobe-stopper

  One car. Three models. Many differences.

  You probably have seen the commercial of the new Toyota Innova.  Yes, it is the one with the tagline “a beautiful revolution”.

While it boasts that Toyota’s newest car product is innovative (as what the name suggests) and revolutionary, some sort of revolution (or maybe a feeble competition) is happening between the car’s three models.

You’ve heard me right, people.  The Toyota Innova has three models:  the G model, the E model and the J model.  There are some features that are not present in one model but are available in others.  These features are the ones customers are attracted into, creating what might be a friendly battle in the three model’s car sales.

They all might look the same outside but it is the peripherals inside that make the difference.  Rest assured that their disparitites are more thatn theire model letters.

The engine

Variety is the name of the game here.  The G model comes in two engine types:  the 2.5L diesel and the 2.0L gas varieties.  Both are available in manual or automatic transmission.  On the other hand, the E model offers only the 2.5L diesel manual transmission while the J model is fused only with either the 2.5L M/T or the 2.0 gas M/T engine.

All diesel engines are of the 2KD-FTV model while all gas variants are in the 1TR-FE model.

The 2KD-FTV engine, a new generation 2.5L common rail diesel engine is able to supply high-speed injections at all speed levels, controlled by a 32-bit electronic control unit (ECU).  What you get is increased power, better combustion, fuel efficiency and less noise due to vibrations.

On the other hand, the 1TR-FE, a high performance 2.0L gasoline engine with advanced Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-i) technology delivers smoothen power in a wide RPM range that’s responsive and easy to drive both in traffic or in the highway.  The fuel also gives better mileage, fuel economy and a cleaner exhaust gas.

Dimensions

This is the reason why it is hard to distinguish which is which (unless you look at the rear of the car to determine what model it is).  All classes are 4,555 inches in length, 1,770 in width and 1,755 in height.

The wheelbases are constant at 2,750” while the front and rear tread measures are all the same with 1,510”.

To cite more similarities, the minimum turning radius of the steering wheel is 5.4”, fuel tank capacity stands at 55 liters and the seating capacity for all models is eight.

Transmission and chassis

Of course, it is obvious that A/T and M/T cars have different transmission systems.  As with the Innova, the A/T cars are equipped with a 4-speed, gate type, transmission system as compared to the 5-speed manual transmission.

As for this domain, that is the only significant difference.  Front and rear suspension are made up of independent, coil spring, double wishbone w/ stabilizer bar and 4-link coil spring respectively.

Front brakes are composed of ventilated discs while rear brakes are of leading trailing drum composition.  The steering systems are all rack and pinion with power steering.

As for the wheels, they are all 205/65 R15 6JJ but the G model dons alloy wheels while those of the other two models are of steel.

Exterior

A lot of differences arise when the outside appearance of the Innova’s models are compared.  The front and rear bumpers of the G model all color-keyed while that of the E and J models are painted.  The hood moulding of the G modle is chrome while that of the E and J models are still painted.

Only the G model has multi-reflector front fog lamps, chrome insert side protection moulding and blackout with window sash.  The outside view mirror and the outside door handle of the said model are of chrome while those of the other two models are in black.

Interior

Among the three models, only the G one has a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, a cigarette lighter, illuminated entry system, door ajar, seat belt warning device and lights off reminder.

In contrast, all models possess an upper and lower glove box with key, all-urethane shift level knobs, a console box, front personal lamps, sunvisors, rear view mirrors, assist grips, moulded door trims with integrated armrests, needle punch carpets, a Fujitsu-Ten 2-DIN CD/Tuner/MP3/4 speaker sound system and a dual but manual air conditioning system.

It seem though that the G model is the best buy among the three models.  Its interior color is Ivory while that of the two is black giving it a more relaxing and eye-catching look.  Also, the model boasts of an Optitron illumination control instrument panel meter to reduce eye strain among drivers.  Its panel center cluster is finished in wood grain while that of its counterparts is made in resin giving it a sleeker look.

The G model is the only one that has a 4-spoke urethane steering wheel while the other two models use a 3-spoke steering wheel.  The said model is the only one that has a vanity mirror in the front passenger’s sunvisor.

As for the cup and bottle holders, the G model again dominates the other models as it can hold three to four cups while the others only have room for one.  In terms of the bottle holders though, all models can make way for up to seven bottles.

Power features and safety features

In this field of comparison, the G model continues to rule.  It is the only model that has power window control, SRS airbags, high mount stop lamps and a keyless entry vehicle security system to avoid car robberies.

All models though have a GOA body, side door impact beams and child lock protectors.  On the other hand none of the three models have a back-up sensor.

Prices

The 2.5L Diesel A/T G model costs 1,030,000 pesos while its M/T counterpart is worth 965,000 pesos.  As for the G model Gas cars, purchasing the 2.0L A/T makes you spend 970,000 pesos while the M/T type also of the same engine will cost you 915,000 pesos.

The 2.5L M/T E model is worth 865,000.  While the 2.5L diesel M/T and the 2.0 Gas M/T J model cars are worth 768,000 and 718,000 pesos respectively.

The verdict

If you were to ask me what the greatest buy among the three models, the G model gets my vote for it has more features that automobile afficionados look for.  Also, given the weekly oil price hikes that we are embracing right now, it is practical to purchase the diesel-engine ones as compared to the gas ones due to lower fuel costs.   But, if you are the guy who emphasizes performance more than features, any of the three is worth spending six figures money.  After all, they are all made by one of the leading car companies in the world, Toyota.  And more often than not, Toyota is synonymous to good quality.

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tungkol kay nadal (sori hindi si kitchie, mabuti pa basahin mo)

April 24th, 2005 by the-real-kobe-stopper
RACKET LAUNCHER

Look out! This ace continous to reach new heights after his lift-off

It seems like the trend in sports nowadays at is that younger stars excel more than their older counterparts. In basketball, some experts are saying that Lebron James has already outperformed (or will continue to) Kobe Bryant. In soccer, guys as young as 14 or 15 are already being chased by European clubs. Every sport has his or her “kid wonder” (or wonders if they are a group), and tennis is no exception.

Applying the old cliché “Offsprings should outlive their parents” to the scenario of the racket sport, when old (and a bit old) players like Andre Agassi retire and a fresh generation of players will rise as new demigods of the sport. Sad to say though, this doesn’t apply to tennis. As early as now, young racketeers are starting to build their own legends, at the expense of those who they idolized and even imitated.

Though guys like Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer are relatively young and have proven their might, an even younger batch of players are already up to the challenge. And to name one person in particular, Spain’s Rafael Nadal.

"You see the evolution of athletes getting bigger, stronger, more powerful, faster and explosive and hitting the ball harder. Me at 18, looking at Nadal at 18, from the neck down you would think one person was 26 and the other was 12."

This is what tennis legend (and future Hall of Famer) Andre Agassi told about Rafael Nadal. And take note readers, You didn’t hear Agassi wrong, this Spanish kid is only 18 years old.

Born in Mallorca, Spain on June 3, 1986, this 6’1”, 178-pound young sensation is the most talked about emerging superstar in the sport. Actually, he might not be even considered emerging anymore; he has started to prove his worth.

This lefthander started playing at the early age of four. It was his uncle, Toni Nadal, who introduced him to the sport and is still his coach at present. His other coach right now is Jofre Porta who is also Carlos Moya’s coach.

He won his first tournament at age 8 at Baleares and soon entered the junior league wherein he was already hailed as one of the future bright spots for Spanish tennis.

In 2002, at age 15, he was the youngest player ever to qualify for a Masters event. At the end of the year, he was the 235th best player in the world according to the Association of Tennis Players’ (ATP) entry system rankings.

In 2003, he broke into the top 50 of the ATP rankings after winning two Challenger titles. It was also the year when he first reached the semifinal round in any Tennis Masters Series that he has played in. He also won the Croatia Open men’s doubles title with Alex Lopez Moron. In that year’s Wimbledon, he was the youngest player to reach the 3rd round of the prestigious tournament since Boris Becker in 1984 but lost to Thailand’s Paradorn Srichapan.

As for his US Open debut also in that year, he reached the second round of the tourney and eventually bowing down to Morocco’s Younes El Aynaoui. At the end of the year, he was ranked 49th in the world but was placed 67th in the ATP championship race.

In 2004, he continuously improved in the ATP championship race, going up 21 notches to be in 46th place though his world ranking dropped to 51st. He won one singles event (The Idea Prokom Open in Sopot) and one double’s title (The TATA Open in Chennai, India with Tommy Robredo) during the year. He has also been instrumental in Spain’s Davis Cup victory over the United States at the Estadio Olimpico de Sevilla in Seville Spain, teaming up with former no. 1 Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Tommy Robredo.

Now comes 2005 and what might be Nadal’s best year playing in clay, grass and hard courts. He posted career-high rankings during this year. His 2005 doubles entry position was 52nd and now he is ranked 18th in the doubles race. As for his singles’ fate, he entered the ranks in 11th position and is now ranked 2nd in the title melee behind multi-titled Roger Federer and has amassed a total prize money of $1,000,064. As for his ATP tour rankings, he is now ranked 17th from as low as 51st.

This year alone, he has already won three ATP Tennis Masters Series legs: the Brazil Open (Costa de Sauipe), the Abierto Mexicano de Teris Open in Acapulco (defeating Alberto Montanes, 6-1, 6-0), The Tennis Masters Series Monte-Carlo leg. He was also a finalist of the Auckland Open and the Miami Open also known as the Nasdaq 100, the so-called fifth major title. As for his double’s play, he won the Doha Open with Albert Costa.

What’s his secret you might ask? his strength and his left hand. Nadal’s strength helps him impart tremendous topspin, forcing opponents to meet the ball chest high. He’s the highest-ranked left-hander and one of only three in the top 40, allowing him to hit shots at angles other players seldom sees.

"Because he’s a lefty, it changes so many things. His forehand is huge. Even on the run he can hit it with the spins. He can hit winners off every forehand. He hits his backhand very close to his body but still gets it back well and hard when he’s under pressure. And he’s a good defensive player as well. He moves totally different from most players. He’s an outstanding athlete,” Federer said after defeating Nadal in the Miami Open. 

Then there’s the serve, which has a kick but rarely tops 175 kph (110 mph). Nadal’s upper-body strength makes it likely he’ll soon be serving harder. With all of his credentials and his wizardry with the clay court, he is already a favorite to win this year’s French Open (also known as Roland Garros).

"I don’t know whether I will play good or bad at the French Open but my objective is to improve my tennis. I need to improve my serve, my volley, my slice and if I can improve these shots, I think I can win a lot of matches," Nadal said in a press conference after bagging the Monte Carlo Open.

Yup, those words really came from him, all right. He feels that he is not yet the best player that he can be. But with the way things are going for him right now, you might be wondering if greatness for him is synonymous to invincibility. Maybe, when he has already mastered the tricks and tactics of the game, all of the events that he will play in must be tagged “the battle for second place,” the champion of course being him.

Sources for data: www.vamosrafael.com, Rafael Nadal’s official website

www.atptennis.com, for his biography and his titles

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