Monday, 30 January 2012 17:10
A glimpse of Honda's 9th generation Accord Coupe
Words by John Luther Garcia | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Honda has been able to afford to give a glimpse of its upcoming ninth-generation Accord Coupe via a concept previewed in Detroit. But while many of their fans might be dazzled by the large chrome wheels, a well chiseled front bumper with an LED-crowned air intake, and topped-off with dual exhausts integrated into the rear bumper, well, don’t be deceived so easily.
The basic lines from current eight-generation Accord are still present albeit with a few nips and tucks here are there. Honda’s conservative design approach is not that surprising as the Accord is selling relatively well; so why mess with a tried and proven formula? Still, we would need to wait for the final production version to be able to judge it properly.
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Concept
Thursday, 19 January 2012 07:35
Hyundai's new 2013 Genesis Coupe: A good thing made even better
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
At the recent Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai finally revealed the updated 2013 edition Genesis Coupe in all its glory. Aside from the aggressive new front styling, which echoes Hyundai's new corporate look, there are a number of technical upgrades under the hood that should make this two-door coupe fly even faster. At last, it now packs enough oomph to take a bite out of the Nissan 370z, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro.
First on the line of improvements is the newly re-calibrated engine. The 3.8 liter V6 now makes 348 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque on premium fuel - a whopping 42 ponies and 39 Nm of twist more than previously. Despite featuring direct injection, the engine can still run on regular unleaded, thanks to sophisticated anti-knock technology. But perhaps more impressively, the 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant has upped the ante and now packs 274 horsepower on premium fuel, thanks to a new twin-scroll turbocharger and a bigger intercooler. On regular fuel it still makes 260 horsepower, which is still a whopping 50 horses more than the old coupe.
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Newly Launched
Thursday, 19 January 2012 07:11
Chevrolet's Pick-a-Concept: Tru 140S vs Code 130R (w/ video)
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of General Motors
Remember back when Chevrolet unveiled the Beat, Groove, and Trax concepts at the 2007 New York Auto Show to let consumers pick the styling for what we know as the Spark today? Yeah, I was bummed when the Trax lost, too. Now Chevrolet is going one step further, bringing two radically new concepts to Detroit and asking the people to help the bow tie brand "co-create" its next sporty vehicle. Take your pick: Tru 140S or the Code 130R?
The Tru 140S Concept is a sleek, exotic piece of sheet metal built on the same platform that underpins the Chevrolet Cruze and the Volt hybrid. It straddles the technology gap between the two, featuring the Cruze's turbocharged 1.4 liter engine settled with direct injection and start-stop technology. This front-wheel drive sports coupe boosts power to 150 hp and allows it to boast highway economy in excess of 17 km/l.
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Concept
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 13:47
The all-new 2013 Fusion is a full-blown Ford for grown ups
Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company
Ford might have an exceptional line-up, but the mid-size car market has always been its Achilles’ heel. Despite their best efforts, the Fusion never quite lived up to its potential and match the caliber of the mighty Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, the blue oval brand is taking the fight to new territories as they unveiled the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion.
With its gaping signature Ford grill, chiseled bumpers, and elongated headlights, its resemblance to the Ford Evos Concept from last year's Frankfurt Motor Show is uncanny. Hoping that they'd carry over the Evos Concept's four gull wing doors is a bit far fetched, though. There are, however, hints of Jaguar and Aston Martin's styling embedded in its DNA that adds to its muscular appeal. And with the addition of dual tail pipes, the Fusion looks good at just about every angle.
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Newly Launched
Monday, 16 January 2012 09:27
Hyundai rouses a rabid riot with the 2013 Veloster Turbo
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Though Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI) has yet to launch the Veloster locally, this three-door coupe has already been making waves in other parts of the globe for its bold looks and affordable price. While the striking styling has always been a draw, the puny 1.6-liter engine hasn't entirely lived up to the connotations of its rapid name...until now.
At the recently-concluded 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai has finally answered our prayers when they showed off the new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Visually, the new pumped-up Veloster looks much more aggressive, with 18-inch alloys, a larger grill to feed it with more air, twin tailpipes, and LED tail-lamps. But aside from quicker steering response, a turbocharged engine, and bespoke transmission, other engine and mechanical changes are minimal.
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Newly Launched
Friday, 13 January 2012 08:00
Le petit hybrid: Toyota's all-new Prius c
Words by Jose Carlo Roberto R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motors Corporation
Hybrid technology has once again found its way into the subcompact car segment when Toyota wriggled in the new Prius c at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this week. The 'c' in Prius c stands for 'city' and with it targets a younger crowd who'd like to drive in the urban jungle in an affordable set of wheels with hybrid technology. Also known as the Prius Aqua in Japan, the Prius c is the latest addition to the Prius family after the introduction of the Prius v mini-van last year.
This little city car is powered by a smaller 1NZ-FXE 1.5 liter in-line four cylinder VVT-i power block bundled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive that collectively churns out 99 horses and 111 Nm of torque. It utilizes an Atkinson cycle to achieve optimum fuel efficiency with three different driving modes - Normal, Eco, and EV mode. Plus, it comes with Start Stop Technology (SST) feature to contribute to its thriftiness and should get around 22.5 km/L.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 21:04
Acura revives the NSX with a jolt in Detroit
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
It’s been five years since Acura first revealed the Advanced Sports Car Concept (ASCC) - a front-engined V10 NSX. And though plans to revamp the concept were made, they were cancelled just a year later due to “poor economic conditions,” killing all hopes of an NSX successor with it. But against all odds, we're glad to announce that hope has been restored when Acura revealed a new NSX Concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and the best part is that they've gone back to the legendary mid-engine V6 formula. And did we mention that it's a hybrid?
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Concept
Monday, 19 December 2011 09:02
Mercedes-Benz storms the all-new 2013 SL for Detroit
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
After 60 years, Mercedes-Benz is finally returning to original SL formula with the all-new 2013 SL roadster. Standing for 'sporty' and 'lightweight', the sixth-generation SL will be the first in its lineage to be built almost entirely from aluminum and should go like stink with a new 429 hp V8 under the bonnet.
Instead of relying solely on brute power, the all-new 2013 SL owes its performance on weight savings. Its all-aluminum body actually sheds as much as 110 kg over its predecessor, despite the roadster growing 50mm longer and 57mm wider. Aluminum was also used on the front and rear suspension components to reduce unsprung mass. To show just how keen the engineers are on detail, they've shed a further 6 kg by carving out the retractable hard top out of magnesium. All in all, there's 140 kg lost in the mix that should improve not only acceleration, but also braking and cornering.
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Newly Launched
