Friday, 04 January 2013 07:43
Honda builds new 1.6L i-DTEC diesel engine for the 2013 Civic
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
In its commitment in preserving the environment, Honda unveils its newest 1.6L i-DTEC diesel engine. Designed from the ground up, the new block promises high performance, better fuel efficiency, and lower emissions. The Europeans should be feeling pretty lucky, as this new diesel engine will be resting under the hood of the Euro Civic come 2013, followed by the CR-V in the near future. While there are no hints that it will come our way anytime soon, it's still worth knowing what makes this new power block so good.
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News
Thursday, 03 January 2013 10:18
Objections to the Contrary | 2011 Honda Jazz 1.5 V AT
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos by Christopher Kho
I have to admit that I'm a big Honda fan. I've been one ever since I first drove a three-door Civic hatchback (EG), which was sold by Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) way back in 1992. Since then, I've owned Hondas almost exclusively, either through 'hand me downs' or 'project cars.' So I can't help but feel excited every time a new model comes about, and one in particular that I've had my eye on is the 2011 Honda Jazz.
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Subcompact
Friday, 21 December 2012 08:59
Honda's Financing Options made better this Christmas
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) first rolled out their so-called “Honda Financing Options” program back in October. And because it was such as success, they're bringing it back and making it better this Christmas with three new partner banks: Banco de Oro (BDO), Union Bank, and Eastwest Bank.
Honda Financing Options offers true savings with low downpayment, low interest rates, and all-in packages.
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Contest and Promos
Tuesday, 11 December 2012 10:17
Original na Bida: The end is coming... for cheap motorcycle clones
Words by Charlie Cruz | Photos by Christopher Kho
Some claim that the Mayan calendar predicts the world will end on December 21, 2012. Well, perhaps not yet the end for the human race, but for cheap motorcycle knock-offs. In an unprecedented move, the Philippines' top four motorcycle brands, who are usually competing against each other, united to achieve a common goal - an advocacy for motorcycle safety, quality, and originality.
Honda Philippines, Kawasaki Motors Philippines, Suzuki Philippines, and Yamaha Motor Philippines have joined hands for the first time ever in a campaign called “Original na Bida.” They hope to encourage Filipino motorcyclists to use only original Japanese-designed motorcycles and parts, as opposed to cheap clones.
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Industry Update
Monday, 10 December 2012 08:04
Honda's all-new Brio Amaze is startlingly petite
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Honda Automobile Thailand Co. Ltd.
Early last year, Honda introduced a cheerful little car called the Brio. Positioned below the Jazz in the line-up, it was specifically developed for emerging markets such as Thailand and India. It had a funky-looking all-glass rear hatch and was bundled with all the goodies to satisfy the needs of your average small car buyer. But more than a year after the hatchback’s launch, the Japanese automaker debuted its four-door sedan counterpart at the 2012 Thailand International Motor Expo. This is the new Brio Amaze.
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Newly Launched
Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:08
Honda serves 4 new Thai-made 2012 CR-V variants
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Now that production has normalized in the once flood-hit Thailand, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has added four new Thai-built variants to the all-new 2012 CR-V line-up, adding to the two Japan-made versions launched back in April. Welcome the latest members of the crew: the CR-V 2.0V MT and AT, 2.0S AT, and 2.4SX AT.
While there should technically be no difference in build quality with these new batch of Thai-sourced CR-Vs, there are however some changes in the aesthetics department. The most obvious of which is the revised lower chin that has grown some very pronounced corners. Then there's the new piano-black front grill which replaces the previous matte-black piece. It might be hard to notice, but the fresh batch no longer comes with daytime running lights (DRL). And finally, the door handles of the S and ST variants are now covered in chrome.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 14 November 2012 08:16
Honda's rapidly rehashed 2013 Civic breaks cover
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
Your typical compact family sedan usually takes around three years before it gets a mid-cycle facelift or, as Honda calls it, a “minor model change.” But it has barely been two years since the 9th-Gen Civic made its debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and the Japanese automaker is now getting ready for the launch of the “honed” 2013 Civic at the 2012 LA Auto Show. So, what gives?
Apparently, the Americans have been grossly-disappointed with the current Civic's rather unappealing design. This prompted Honda to do an “emergency refresh” with the hopes to somehow salvage what’s left of its reputation, and this is what they've came up with.
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Newly Launched
Tuesday, 06 November 2012 07:46
Jack of All Traits | 2012 Honda CR-V 2.4L EX AT
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
I can still clearly remember when, back in 1996, my dad and I saw the CR-V for the very first time. They were grey-market imports sold by Greenhills Autohaus at their old place along Wilson Street, way before Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) got their hands on them. I was only about 11 years old then, but I fully agreed with my old man that these new things called “crossovers” were just a trend and won't last very long. Not quite car and not quite SUV, they were impractical and thought that no one in the right mind would buy them. Well, I guess we were wrong. And now that the fourth generation all-new CR-V is here, I can't help but think that this is one of, if not the, most versatile car to drive today.
Published in
Crossover
Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:33
Honda Fit Twist: Brazil gives the Jazz a twist
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Other than their signature style of body waxing, sexy fashion models, and grand parades, it’s not often we hear about Brazil, moreover about anything automotive. But at the 27th São Paulo International Motor Show, things took a mighty new twist when Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltda. (HAB), the Brazilian automobile production and sales subsidiary of Honda, unveiled the Fit Twist.
As if the Honda Fit (or Jazz, as we locally call it) isn’t versatile enough, the Brazilians just had to have their very own version of it. Its new roof rails, plastic body cladding, and exclusive bold front grill make for a striking new façade, while new seat materials add extra flavor. Personally, I’m not crazy about the new grill, but I give props to HAB for the attempt at individuality.
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Newly Launched
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
