Words by Leslie Sy
Launched back in 2008, the Mitsubishi Lancer EX was a sporty sedan with a powerful 2.0L engine and lots of space inside. It was and still is the favorite option of many new car buyers because of its aggressive, youthful styling and good handling. Its shortcomings, however, were its high tag price and somewhat poorer fuel economy when compared to other cars in its class.
But this year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is adding new variants to the Lancer EX line-up that answers all its shortcomings, and more.
The latest additions to the Lancer EX family are the GLX 1.6L M/T and A/T variants, as well as a MX 1.6 A/T, and the top-of-the-line Lancer EX 2.0 GTA. The 2012-edition of the Lancer EX GTA remains mostly unchanged in it's overall specifications.
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Words and photos by Christopher Kho
More than half a decade ago, Ford gave the Philippines a slice of Europe with the Focus. Ahead of its time, it gave us features we've never seen before on a P1 million compact such as dual-zone climate control, a turbo-diesel engine, and dual-clutch transmission, just to name a few. But through the years, the Focus started to show its age and was no longer at the alpha wolf of the pack. So to bring it back to the top of its game, Ford is doing one better by giving us the best the world has to offer in their next-generation compact. Look no further than the all-new 2012 Ford Focus.
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29 June 2012
Mercedes-Benz refines the SLS AMG into a GT
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Launched in 2009, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar was a modern take of the iconic Mercedes 300SL “Gullwing” from the 50's. Inheriting its distinctive gull wing doors, the SLS AMG is equipped with a whopping 563 horsepower 6.2L V8 under the hood and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. It all sounds good so far, right? Well, what if I told you that there's a new improved version of the SLS AMG that packs even more power and goes even faster than the one we have now?
Poised not as an addition to the SLS range, but rather a replacement to the current model, hold on to your seats for the new and improved 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT.
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27 June 2012
Kia refreshes the Sorento for 2014
Words by Rico Soriano | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Corporation
The second generation Kia Sorento has been around since early 2010, and it’s about time that the model receives a much-needed facelift. So to refresh their beloved midsize crossover SUV, the Korean automaker teases the public with their upcoming 2014 Sorento.
While the rest of the body remains the same, notable changes for the midlife update include new head lights and tail lights which feature led lamps, more aggressively designed front and rear bumpers, and larger 19-inch alloy wheels. What's remarkable is that these changes actually clean up the Sorento's line , making it look a lot, lot more sophisticated and a little bit... European. As a matter of fact, the new tail lights are a bit Audi-like.
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Words and photos by Christopher Kho
It was way back in 1982 when Toyota's iconic AE86 was born - a car that combined responsive power, lightweight design, and perfect chassis balance to create the ultimate sports machine. Otherwise known as the Corolla Levin or the Sprinter Trueno, it became an instant hit on track and on the mountain passes, and gave the Drift King himself, Keiichi Tsuchiya, a name. Though this legend lives on to this day through some examples that stood the test of time, it was unfortunately the last of Toyota's breed of rear-wheel-drive coupes. Until now...
After 30 long years, the wait is finally over. In a special launch held at the Subic International Airport last June 19, 2012, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) finally brought the legend back to life. Patterned after the same winning formula as the original AE86, meet Toyota's reincarnated legend, the new GT-86.
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The S80 is Volvo's top-of-the-line sedan that exudes a perfect balance of opulence and intelligence. But more recently, the Scandinavians are feeling the need for a bit more extravagance, so they tipped the scales of the S80 in favor of even more luxury. And with some upgrades here and there, you can now travel in business class everyday with the new Volvo S80 Executive Edition.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the long ride to and from the office with the addition of a Rear Seat Entertainment System. But if you prefer to drive yourself, you should appreciate the new Adaptive Cruise Control, especially during long out-of-town business trips, because it automatically adjusts the S80's speed to maintain a constant gap from the vehicle in front. And to make sure that everyone takes notice of your new Volvo in the executive parking lot, they've installed a stylish new rear spoiler, bling 18-inch alloy wheels, and illuminated side door moldings.
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Have you ever noticed that cars these days are getting more and more expensive? Well, the Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the official importer and distributor of Kia in the Philippines, is beating the odds with the introduction of two new variants of their most popular crossovers. Get a serving of the new Sportage LX and Sorento LX’s 4x2 manual transmission counterparts, now available at your nearest Kia dealership for more or less P1 million.
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08 June 2012
The all-new Pilot is Honda's supersized SUV
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Aren't Hondas supposed to be small, compact, and lightweight? Well, as we found out, there's one exception to the rule, and it’s here in the Philippines. Meet the all-new Pilot, Honda Cars Philippines Inc's (HCPI) latest supersized SUV.
At 4.8 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 1.8 meters tall, the Pilot is about 20% bigger and 30% heavier than the CR-V. Heck, it’s so big that we reckon a Jazz can fit inside it. But the upside is that it can carry 60% more passengers, bringing up the total seating capacity to eight. And yes, as hard as it is to believe, this SUV can indeed fit three average sized adults comfortably in the last row. As a matter of fact, Honda claims that it has the best interior and luggage space in its class, beating the Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Veracruz. Plus, this heavyweight can also swallow as much as 1,000 liters of cargo with the seats upright, or double that with the rear seats down.
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