Words by Jose Carlo Roberto R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Dongfeng Honda Automobile Co. Ltd.
Though better known for making affordable multi-purpose commercial vehicles and heavy machineries, Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFMC) is actually also responsible for manufacturing Honda's (among the other brands) for the Chinese market. And benefiting from the partnership with the Japanese automaker, DFMC recently unveiled their own version of the 8th Generation Civic, called the CIIMO.
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Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
With today's high pump prices, fuel efficiency is easily the number one concern for most motorists. Ironically though, we can't deny our love for gas-guzzling SUV's because of their versatility and damn good looks. Thankfully, Ford may have found the perfect answer.
Just a week ago, Ford revealed the much-awaited production version of the all-new EcoSport compact SUV at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Ford plans to build this compact SUV in China, India, Thailand, and South America, which will soon be offered in nearly 100 markets globally - including the Philippines, we hope.
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Words by Jose Carlo Roberto R. Sapera| Photos by Christopher Kho
More than two years after its international debut, Suzuki's latest mid-size sedan finally touches down on Philippine soil. Known as the Kizashi, some of you might be surprised to see Suzuki bring their flagship model here when most of their line up are made up of entry-level people-carriers. But the Shizuoka-based company is insinuating something through its name, which means “something great is coming.” Indeed, it looks like something already had.
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Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos by Christopher Kho
Perhaps Toyota can be forgiven for not taking any major liberties with the design of the all-new Camry, considering it’s been the best-selling mid-sized executive car in the Philippines for quite a while. But my first reaction upon seeing it was... it looks just like a Camry. To be fair, the body silhouette is much more muscular and squared off than before, and the new front bumper design is much more cohesive than the previous one, but it still looks an awful lot like a Camry.
I suppose that’s the point. When you have a car that many consider to be the benchmark for the mid-sized sedan class, perhaps it’s best to remind people that your new car is related to your old car. Besides, as any Camry owner can tell you, it’s what’s under the skin that counts.
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26 April 2012
Nissan’s all-new Sylphy touches down in Beijing
Words by Jose Carlo Roberto R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
Some of you might still recall the name “Sylphy.” It's actually not new in Nissan’s roster of cars and first appeared in Japan as the Bluebird Sylphy back in 2000, or what we call here as the Sentra Exalta. Five years later, Nissan dropped the “Bluebird” tag when the second generation was launched and was only made available in selected Asian countries. The Philippines was unfortunately not included. But at the 2012 Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, Nissan premiered an all-new Sylphy, and this time around, they said it's going global.
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25 April 2012
Honda redefines the S.U.V. with the all-new 2012 CR-V
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
When Honda launched the 1st generation CR-V back in 1997, hardly anyone in the Philippines knew what a “compact SUV” was, let alone knew what to do with it. Bigger than a car, smaller than a 4x4, and carried less people than an MPV, it was most definitely a luxury only for the people who can afford it. But in 15 years of experience, we've learned that, what we now call crossovers, are actually good for daily drives, out of town trips, and most importantly, showing off how big your paycheck really is. Honda, however, is making us rethink what we know about the usual SUV with the all-new 2012 CR-V.
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25 April 2012
Lamborghini previews Urus, Competition has a Cow
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.
If the name “Urus” doesn’t sound quite as evocative as names like “Aventador”, “Diablo”, and “Murcielago” (mercy, oh lawdie!), there’s a reason for that. The Urus (Ooh-roos) is a cattle breed halfway between fighting bulls and working bulls, noted for its tall, wide shoulders. It’s also known as an Auroch, but too many people know what that is... might as well call it “Angus.”
The Urus Concept is a 600 horsepower... thing... sitting halfway between a sports car and an SUV that promises to carry four people in style and to drive like nothing else on the road. Sounds familiar? Yes, it does. But don’t ask BMW or Porsche if they’re worried about the Urus eating into X6M and Cayenne Turbo sales.
They should be positively terrified.
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24 April 2012
Mazda bites back with the all-new 2012 Mazda 3
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Since the model's first debut in 2003, the Mazda 3 instantly became one of Mazda's best-selling nameplates in the Philippines and around the globe - a title which it still holds to this day. And now there's a new successor to the throne. Welcome the all-new 2012 Mazda 3.
If you're paying enough attention and did the math, you'd quickly realize that Mazda's second generation compact is actually about three years overdue when it was launched locally at the Mazda Expo last week. In fact, the rest of the world has been enjoying its blessings since 2010. But let me assure you, the all-new Mazda 3 is as young and well-equipped as its compact competitors and doesn't show its age, not even by a bit.
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