25 September 2012
Climb Ev’ry Mountain: Off the Deep End with the Suzuki Jimny
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
I’ve always been fascinated with the Suzuki Jimny. After driving one back in 2002, I’ve had a longing, bordering on obsession, to drive one once again. Thankfully, the Jimny hasn’t changed much over the years. So when I finally got a chance to drive a brand new one, I jumped at the chance, even if it meant getting a little dirty. Because getting down and dirty is second nature to the Jimny.
Our friends Mike and Rolf from 4x4ph.com were my babysitters for this off-road trek. They’re certified Suzuki fanatics. Rolf, in particular, is a Jimny connoisseur. He’s owned or driven every single year model since the Samurai. What makes an owner so faithful to a car? Obviously, it’s a car that’s faithful to its owner.
Published in
Road Trip
24 September 2012
Kotse.com's 14th Anniversary: The Growing Years
Words by Ferman Lao
If you were already a car nut back in 1998, you've probably come across a nondescript booth in one of the more popular car shows back then. This particular booth housed nothing more than a stocky gentleman in glasses with long wavy hair, sitting behind a table with a computer. Behind him would have been a poster with a Fonzi look-alike caricature (from the old “Happy Days” TV Series) in a black leather jacket driving what looks like a VW convertible.
Oddly enough, the guy behind the table wasn't selling anything and was only giving out free stickers. The stickers read the words Kotse.com.
Published in
Features
Eton Centris recently turned-over the symbolic key to the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) as the new official launch and test venue for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). The launch party will be held on the 21st of September, 2012, while the Qualitative Testing for this year's search will commence on the 29th of the same month and continue for six to nine consecutive weekends.
Located on the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue, the 12-hectare luxury lifestyle destination is comprised of commercial establishments, restaurants, office buildings, residential condominiums that is slated to be new central business hub of Quezon City. And more importantly, it'll become the home to one of the largest BMW showrooms in the region in the near future, as well as a planned upcoming Volvo dealership. All of these factors makes Eton Centris the perfect venue for the 9th edition of COTY-P.
Published in
Car of the Year
10 September 2012
Toyota 86: A tough act to follow
Words by Charlie Cruz | Photos by Christopher Kho
The most basic formula in making a great sports car is to put the most powerful engine you can possibly fit into the lightest chassis you can find. It can accelerate quicker, brake later, and corner much much faster. No other car does this better than the Toyota Corolla AE86. The AE86 earned its title from years of being raced, thrashed, and – up until recently – drifted. And after a rich 30-year history, there is no doubt that the 86 or the Hachi-Rouku is an undisputed legend.
But after three decades of its reign, amidst the flurry of front wheel drive cars, Toyota finally decided to revive the legend of their front-engined rear-wheel-drive coupe. Meet the new 86, Toyota's latest reincarnation of the ideal affordable sports car.
I must say, it looks really cool. This sleek new sports car has a sophistication that's fit for any occasion. And while Toyota got the looks department spot on, the question now is, “Is better than the original AE86?”
Published in
Features
06 September 2012
A piece of rally history: 1992 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Group A
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by author and Hans Gerald Chua
Before the dawn of the Lancer Evolutions, before sequential gearboxes became standard equipment on rally cars, and way before traction and yaw control were perfected, there was the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4. It made its international rally debut back in 1988 and, after five years of competition, has taken no less than six victories in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and one driver's title in the 1988 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).
Calling this car “legendary” would be a bit of an understatement, as it was the granddaddy of all four-wheel-drive Mitsubishi rally cars that came after. That's why we didn't dare miss the chance to see this legend in the sheet metal when it made a rare appearance at the 4th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS).
Published in
Features
17 August 2012
Mitsubishi makes comfort and excitement more affordable with the new 2012 Lancer EX 1.6L
Words and photos by Leslie Sy
After its official launch in July, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently held a media test drive so that we can go and try out their new 2012 Lancer EX 1.6L MIVEC on the road. The outing was meant give us a chance to experience firsthand the new Lancer EX's driving comfort, excellent handling, and improved fuel economy in a real world setting. So, the question on everyone's minds was: “Will the car deliver its advertised fuel economy of 20km/L?”
Published in
Road Trip
14 August 2012
Survival Guide: Driving Through Floods 101
Words and graphics by Niky Tamayo
On the second week of August 2012, three days of continuous rain plagued Metro Manila and submerged most of its roads and homes under several feet of floodwaters. It was like Ondoy all over again. Apart from people losing their homes and, worse, their lives, these events also reminded us once again how ill-informed and unprepared motorists are for driving in flooded conditions. To do our part, Kotse.com has prepared an easy survival guide to ensure you and your most expensive appliance survive even under the worst weather conditions.
Published in
Features
08 August 2012
Play time's over; Mitsubishi's all-new Mirage is out to change the world of subcompacts
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
In June of 2012, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) registered a total of 16,956 units in sales for the first six months of the year. This puts them securely as the country's second-largest automaker, though still 40% shy of Toyota's lead. But all that could change when Mitsubishi brings out their smallest car yet - the all-new 2012 Mirage.
Not due to be released until the year's end, MMPC was kind enough to fly members of the motoring media to Thailand - where the Mirage is being built - just so we could get a first-hand look at their upcoming subcompact. And given their close roots in motorsports, they opted to let us take the spunky hatchback to the race track instead of going on a long drive out of the city. Though the units we tested were in right hand drive (RHD), the specs were as close as what we're going to get in a few months’ time according to Mitsubishi.
Published in
Features
