09 May 2013
Point and Shoot | 2012 Toyota 86 TRD AT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
In 2012, we got the opportunity to field test one of the latest quintessential sports car, the Toyota 86.
It bears one of the most attractive modern interpretations of the classic sports car silhouette - a svelte low hood and roof line, steeply-raked windscreen, two doors, two seats (we don't consider the rear vestigial seats to be real), and a sweeping short rear end. Its character lines show the level of attention to detail that the designers put into the 86. One such example are the indents on the hood that wrap around the Toyota emblem and flow all the way to the roof. Not only does it look good, but also have an aerodynamic function. This is an indication that the engineers have been given free reign too.
Published in
Sportscar
Words and photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
Do you still remember the old Chevrolet Aveo? If your answer is no, we don't blame you. That's because the sedan and hatchback versions, yes there are two, looked miles apart. Besides the obviously missing trunk, the five-door version had a a completely different front end, which gave the nameplate a bit of an identity crisis. Although both were good to drive and had the looks to match, it sadly wan't one of the popular subcompacts of its time.
To give it a second chance at life, the bow-tie-brand rebooted the nameplate and renamed it as the Sonic. It's packed with better styling, more features, and most importantly, identical designs for the hatchback and notchback versions. In case you're wondering, they now call it a notchback and not a sedan because the trunk is shaped more like a notch.
Published in
Subcompact
Words and photos by Leslie Sy
The all-new Mirage that came in late 2012 is Mitsubishi's first small car in the country in over a decade. Right away, it was no secret that this subcompact would be a game changer for the local car industry considering its low price combined with its trusted Japanese heritage. But as we know, a good car is more than just a brand and a price tag.
Obviously, potential buyers will be comparing the Mirage to other similar models originating from Japan, Korea, and maybe even China and the United States. So how does it match? I was given the keys to a top-of-the-line Mirage 1.2L GLS CVT to find out for myself.
Published in
Subcompact
18 March 2013
Ordinary Hero | 2013 Honda CR-Z 1.5L 6MT Mugen
Words by Andre Palma | Photos by Christopher Kho
It's so hard not to sound like a fan boy when one is just that. Let me explain. Before the thousands of miles driven in hundreds of cars all over this God-given globe, my love for the automobile had to start somewhere. And as only my oldest of friends will remember, it all began with a Honda.
Something about delivering ‘the cutting edge’ engineering to the common man stuck a chord: Double A-arms, VTEC, and potent little engines that kept on revving even when everyone else’s had sent their pistons into low earth orbit. Not to mention the signature siren calls of the exhaust note, unnerving and shrill, evoking a sewing machine gone supersonic. Many loved their Hondas, and, for most part, these cars delivered way beyond what one expected of a mass market Japanese car.
Published in
Sportscar
27 February 2013
Closing the Gap | 2012 Foton Thunder 2.8L CRDi 4x2 MT
Words by Beeboy Bargas | Photos by Christopher Kho
2WD and 4WD pickup trucks are an intriguing kind. Why? First of all, pickup trucks are basically hauling vehicles for items that one would not normally put in an SUV; like something fairly large, heavy, and most probably dirty, or smelly. They're also regularly used by utility companies and all sorts of fleet services for cargo transport. But what makes them really intriguing is how today's lifestyle has made pickup trucks de riguer for bringing mountain bikes, dive gears, motorcycles, and what have you. It’s even no longer uncommon to see the fairer sex drive them on the streets.This brings me to the latest test unit Foton has generously lent me. Having driven Foton's old pickup truck some three years back, one could easily tell that this Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer still had some miles to go in terms of closing the quality gap to its American and Japanese counterparts. Think how Korean cars were back in the 80's and early 90's. But that was before. Now, Foton is presenting its second generation pickup truck called the Thunder. And dare I say, if you're a serious buyer who is more concerned with getting what you to do in a pickup truck, then the Thunder should be for your serious consideration.
Published in
Pickup
18 February 2013
Insightful Insight | 2013 Honda Insight 1.3L CVT Hybrid
Words by Leo Lim | Photos by Christopher Kho
While the Senate has passed House Bill No. 2856, also knowns as the “Electric, Hybrid, and Other Alternative Fuel Vehicles Incentives Act of 2011,” it has yet to be enacted into a law. Not until a certain Mr. Benigno Aquino III signs it, at least. But that didn't stop Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) from rolling the dice and bringing in some hybrids to our shores. And though most of us may have to wait a little bit longer before the latest Insight sets foot on any local Honda dealer, we were privileged enough to go on a test drive so we can tell you how this hybrid is set to change how Filipinos chug about in our polluted streets.
Published in
Subcompact
07 February 2013
Exceeding Expectations | 2012 Ford Focus 1.6L Trend Hatchback 6PS
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos by Leslie Sy
We’re no strangers to Ford compact hatchbacks. Mantrade, the official distributor of Ford vehicles in the country a few decades ago, introduced the Mazda 323-based Laser in the 80's - a car which I have fond memories of as a child. But with no proper successor, the country didn't see a new Ford hatchback for quite some time. Then came Ford Group Philippines (FGP), who brought in the Focus back in 2005 and revived Ford's fame for five-door people carriers. And now, they're back at what they do best with the all-new Focus - sportier, curvier, and stuffed with all the gadgets you could ever wish for.
I had the privilege to spend a weekend with the all-new Focus 1.6L Trend hatchback, which sits neatly between the base Ambiente and top-of-the-line Sport+ variants in the five-door line up. We all know it looks great, but is it as good in person as it seems on paper? Well, that's what I'm about to find out.
Published in
Compact
03 January 2013
Objections to the Contrary | 2011 Honda Jazz 1.5 V AT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
I have to admit that I'm a big Honda fan. I've been one ever since I first drove a three-door Civic hatchback (EG), which was sold by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) way back in 1992. Since then, I've owned Hondas almost exclusively, either through 'hand me downs' or 'project cars.' So I can't help but feel excited every time a new model comes about, and one in particular that I've had my eye on is the 2011 Honda Jazz.
Published in
Subcompact
