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
Friday, 05 October 2012 07:34
Technical Analysis: 2012 Hyundai Eon 0.8L MT
Words and graphics by Niky Tamayo
While the 2012 Hyundai Eon may not have the sophistication of, say, a MINI Cooper, there’s a lot of work that goes into its deceptively simple underpinnings. To keep prices below the P500,000 mark, design solutions that simultaneously reduce costs and increase value are a must. No high-tech direct injection or multi-link suspension here, just good old-fashioned engineering. So to find out what really makes Hyundai's latest small car tick, we dissect it part by part.
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Features
Tuesday, 18 September 2012 06:47
HARI's sales up by 19% in August; Passenger car figures jump 59%
Twenty years ago, who would have thought that a Korean automaker could outsell an American giant three-to-one in the Philippines? That's right. Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) recorded 1,454 units sold in August 2012, which is almost three times more than what the blue oval brand achieved in the same month.
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Industry Update
Wednesday, 11 July 2012 11:03
Live Brilliant: Drive to Baguio in the Hyundai's EON gets 29.361 km/L (w/ video)
Words, photos, and video by Ronnie Trinidad
Last June, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) invited a select group of drivers to test just how efficient the all-new EON really is. In a 20-car convoy, we all headed up to the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City. The 246 km trek shouldn't be a problem for me, as I've done quite a few eco runs in the past myself. But despite knowing all the tricks in the book, I've never quite experienced the sweet taste of victory. And teamed up with host of Wave 89.1's Racing Beat and founder of the Lateral Drift Championship, Charlie Cruz - who has never done an eco run in his entire life - I didn't have my hopes up.
As a professional race car driver, Charlie never lost the competitive spirit in him, so I had at least a little glimmer of hope. According to Hyundai, the EON could easily do 26.3 km/L in long drives, so we aimed to beat that number. I shared to him every little bit of knowledge I had with the hopes of taming his track-proven lead foot. Our main objective was to keep the car rolling, use the brakes as sparingly as possible, and avoid stops at all cost. It's also a game of focus, determination, and patience - attributes we hardly posses. But there's one more important thing that keeps us going: desperation.
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Road Trip
Monday, 18 June 2012 07:09
Hyundai strikes gold; May sales up by 29%
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) has done it again. In just the five months of the year, the exclusive distributor of the Korean automaker in the Philippines managed to sell 10,395 units, which is a whopping 29% jump over the 8,062 they achieved in the same period last year. Looks like they're really giving Mitsubishi a run for their money.
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Industry Update
Thursday, 17 May 2012 08:29
The Marvelous Magic Mushroom | 2012 Hyundai Eon 0.8L GLS MT
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
When Hyundai launched the Eon, they touted the diminutive car’s wide choice of colors. We’re not talking ten different shades of gray, white, and beige here, but colors like Yellow, Clean Blue and Electrix Red. Yet Hyundai chose to lend us a concrete-colored car.
They call the shade “Mushroom”... though it’s more a sort of creamy silver. But then a stray shaft of sunlight hits it and... oooh... pretty. There’s an opalescent sheen to it that the Japanese would gleefully charge you P50k extra for.
The paint certainly suits the car. Because the Eon is a fascinating study in design on a budget.
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Subcompact
Monday, 02 April 2012 14:03
Gam(E)on: Hyundai brings out the all-new 2012 Eon
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos by Christopher Kho
Hyundai’s booth at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) was impressive, with over a thousand square meters of space and a variety of models on display. Yet while most eyes were on the new Veloster, Hyundai gave the humble all-new 2012 Eon equal billing with it on the showroom floor. As well they should, this is an important car for the aggressive Korean brand.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 06:44
10 cars making their debut at the 8th Manila International Auto Show
Words by Christopher Kho
The 8th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) is all set to go this March 29, 2012 at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City. With 26,000 sq. meters of exhibit space, it promises to be the Philippines' biggest motoring event of the year yet again. And in line with year's theme “Life in the Fast Lane,” we're giving you a quick preview of the 10 new cars scheduled to make their official Philippine debut at the show.
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Newly Launched
Friday, 30 December 2011 08:01
*UPDATE* Hyundai confirms 3 new models coming to the Philippines in 2012
Words by Christopher Kho
*UPDATE*
HARI has just advised us that while the all-new Santa Fe's sure to arrive next year, the Eon and Velsoter is still under review with a final statement due first quarter of 2012.
Just before the New Year sets in, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, has got some big news brewing up for 2012. Expanding its current vehicle line-up, they're bringing in three new models next year - the Eon, the long-awaited Veloster, and the all-new Santa Fe. On top of that, expect prices on new Hyundai's to drop after the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) comes into play, which should reduce import tariff rates to 20%.
Winds of Change
The Eon is Hyundai's entry-level micro car positioned just below the i10. It's powered by an 814cc gasoline engine that allows it to achieve a remarkable 21.1 km/L fuel economy. This little five-door hatchback and claims to have greater interior room than a Suzuki Alto, hold more luggage space than a Chevrolet Spark, and come equipped with front power windows, a driver's side airbag, and a savvy two-tone interior. Infused with Hyundai's signature fluidic design philosophy, the Eon is sure to turn heads on the streets.
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Industry Update
