Wednesday, 20 March 2013 07:58
CAGI publishes final 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines nominees
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Mikko David
After spending nine days for Qualitative Tests at ETON Centris, Quezon City and another four days for Technical Tests at the Clark International Speedway (CIS), it all comes down to this. On the eve of April 4, 2013 at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), there will be a newly-crowed Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) for 2012 - 2013. But before last year's COTY - the Hyundai Elantra - hands over its throne, the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) has published this year's final nominees.
The list includes 80 vehicles competing in 20 Categories, plus the coveted Car of the Year Philippines title. But new for this year is a Truck of the Year Philippines (TOTY-P) award that separately recognizes the bigger cars in the bunch.
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Car of the Year
Tuesday, 19 February 2013 10:17
CAGI re-elects Kotse.com EIC and Editorial Director as officers for 2013 - 2014
Although the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) isn't quite over yet, the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) had to elect a new set of officers once again for the upcoming 2013 - 2014 season. And after the votes were tallied, Kotse.com's very own Editorial Director, Ferman Lao, and Editor-in-Chief, Christopher Kho, reassumes their position as CAGI President and Corporate Secretary, respectively.
Likewise, Bam Olivares from the Daily Tribune was re-elected as VP - Internal Affairs as well as Bess Zamora from AQ Magazine who retains her position as Treasurer. There is, however, a newcomer to the group. Mikko David from Top Gear Philippines effectively replaces Andy Sevilla as VP - External Affairs.
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Car of the Year
Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:01
Mazda CX-5 beats the 86 and BRZ as Japan's 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year
Words by Christopher Kho
Well waddya know. Contrary to popular belief, the The Toyota 86, and its fraternal twin the Subaru BRZ, apparently is not the best car to come out from the land of the rising sun this year. Beating it by 45 votes is the all-new Mazda CX-5 which earned the coveted title of 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Japan.
According to the Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) committee, the 86 and BRZ did impress with its “thrilling rear-wheel-drive handling, high-revving boxer engine, and reasonable price. But it was the CX-5's “revolutionary SKYACTIV technology, great handling, and economical clean diesel engine” that impressed the jurors the most.
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News
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 10:16
COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 5: Ford family gathering
Words by Jade Lu | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua
We have finally reached the final day of the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) qualitative testing for 2012! It was our privilege to test the latest car models from different manufacturers, and that made each test day special. Last Saturday’s was quite unique, as all the cars we tested were from Ford: Explorer EcoBoost 2.0 XLT, Fiesta 1.4 AT Sedan, Focus 2.0L Sport + and Titanium +, and the Ranger 2.2L Duratorq 4x2 AT and MT.
With only six cars to drive that day, we were relatively more relaxed and could take each car for a leisurely ride, especially the Explorer. There was even time to demonstrate the Ford Focus’ Active Park Assist feature. There were much ooh’s and ahh’s. It goes without saying: A day testing a one-make lineup really makes one understand the brand as a whole a bit better.
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Car of the Year
Wednesday, 24 October 2012 11:40
COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 4: Battle of the high-rolling brutes
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua and author
Now that we've finished a third of the Qualitative Tests, it's finally time to take on the big boys of the 2012 - 2012 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). At the break of dawn, nine behemoths lined up at this year's official test venue at the Eton Centris, Quezon City last October 20, 2012. It was a tough battle between the Americans, Japanese, British, and surprisingly, the Chinese. Summing up all their values, we had more than P20 million worth of sheet metal to play with that day.
CATS Motors, Inc. returned with their luxurious Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Dodge Durango Citadel. Also making their second appearance at testing this year is Honda, this time bringing the all-new CR-V 2.0 LX and 2.4 EX. And despite being a Japanese automaker, the Odyssey 3.5 V6 AT and Pilot 3.5 V6 AT that Honda brought with them were undoubtedly American. Meanwhile, all eyes were on the firenze red Range Rover Evoque. Priced at well above P5 million, this compact crossover was a toy we all couldn't get our hands off. But the real surprise of the day were the Great Wall Hover H5 and Wingle H5. First tested in 2010, the two Chinese utes came back after a fresh facelift and a new CRDi engine.
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Car of the Year
Thursday, 18 October 2012 08:19
COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 3: Return of the Kings
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos by Hans Gerald Chua and author
Honda and Subaru are no strangers to the Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). In fact, both Japanese automakers have won the prestigious award twice in the past. The Accord took the prize in 2004, followed by the previous generation Civic in 2005. Then, it was Subaru's turn to take a back-to-back title with the Impreza STI in 2008 and the Legacy 2.5L GT in 2009. So, it was a chance for these Japanese giants to face-off once again at the third day of the Qualitative Testing for the 2012 - 2013 COTY-P, last October 13, 2012 at Eton Centris in Quezon City. Of course, we didn't forget about the trio of American brutes brought by CATS Motors Inc.
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Car of the Year
Thursday, 11 October 2012 09:28
COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 2: The Korean conundrum
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Blessed with good weather, the members of the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) once again assembled at Eton Centris, Quezon City for yet another day in the search for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P). Last week's test proved that traffic around the designated test route stayed light throughout the day, which gave us the liberty to drive and enjoy each of the cars a bit longer, knowing that we wouldn't be wasting so much time in a standstill. So, with only six beautiful cars on the list, the second day of the Qualitative Testing was one worth enjoying.
Dominated by the Koreans, the day's list included lightweights from both Kia and Hyundai, plus one rather luxurious Scandinavian sedan from Volvo. Kia brought all three variants of their Rio: the 1.2 LX MT sedan, 1.4 EX AT sedan, and the 1.4 EX AT hatchback. Not to be outdone, Hyundai finally went public with their long-awaited Accent 1.6 GLS CRDi VGT hatchback. They also brought along the cute little EON 0.8 GLS that will go up against last week's Alto K10. Finally, Volvo spoiled us in absolute luxury with their new turbo-diesel-powered S60 D3.
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Car of the Year
Saturday, 06 October 2012 07:20
COTY 2012 - 2013 Test Fest Day 1: A good rainy start
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
At last, the search for the 2012 - 2013 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) has begun. Attended by almost 30 eager motoring journalists, the first day of the Qualitative Test Fest was held last September 29, 2012 at the new official test venue in Eton Centris, Quezon City. And despite the heavy downpour, we forged on to put all these new cars to the test. Although thankfully, the generous people from Eton Centris were kind enough to provide us with tents to shelter us from the weather.
The first seven vehicles were a mix of mini cars, compacts, and a mid-size sedan. Lifan returns this year with a revised LF320 EX - a mini which we also drove last year - and the new seven-seater LF6201 Foison van. Meanwhile, Suzuki's entries include the more powerful Alto K10 and the all-new Kizashi. Lastly, Mitsubishi looks strong in their attempt at the strongly-contested compact car battle, bringing three variants of the 1.6L MIVEC-equipped Lancer EX: the GLX MT, GLX AT, and the top-of-the-line MX AT.
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Car of the Year
Wednesday, 19 September 2012 06:05
Eton Centris hailed the new Launch and Test venue for the 2012 - 2013 COTY-P
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.
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Car of the Year
Wednesday, 28 March 2012 07:50
The Philippines' 2011 - 2012 Car of the Year is ready to be crowned at MIAS
After 12 months, the Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI) is once again ready to crown a new Car of the Year for 2011 - 2012. Scheduled on the opening day of the 8th Manila International Auto Show, the awards night will be held on March 29, 2012 at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.The entires are open to all new passenger and commercial vehicles introduced between November 1, 2012 and October 31, 2011. This year, a total of 36 cars in 13 different categories are vying for the title as the 2011 - 2012 Car of the Year Philippines (COTY-P) and range from as small as a basic mini car to a full-sized luxury SUV.
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Car of the Year
