Friday, 21 December 2012 10:13
2012 Paris Motor Show : The Inside Story
Words and photos by Elmer Maniebo
Paris is, without a doubt, the most romantic city in the world. Its culture, cuisine, and bright spirit are representative of its native language, which is quite possibly the most beautiful language known to man. It is home to some of the most iconic structures to have ever been built - the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe. Nothing prepares you for its charm, nostalgia, and chic. Its effervescent warmth makes it the most visited city in the world. So when the chance to go to the Mondial de l’Automobile 2012, otherwise known as the Paris Motor Show, popped-up, I didn't think twice to grab it. It’s only five hours away from where I live, and kids go free. So, what the heck!
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Road Trip
Thursday, 25 October 2012 06:06
Paris 2012: Jaguar’s F-Type is finally out to play
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Jaguar Cars Limited
Remember Jaguar's C-X16 concept from 2011? Confirmed as a production-ready roadster, we first saw the first images of the aptly renamed but heavily camouflaged F-Type in June. Well, the much-anticipated roadster is finally out of the box and made its official debut at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show.
The exterior design is a homage to its legendary predecessor - the Jaguar E-Type roadster from the 60's - from its long clamshell bonnet, gaping “shark-like” grill, and tapered rear end. The narrow taillights and quad exhausts are likewise a tribute to the E-Type. They've added a pair of bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights to complete the ultra-aggressive look. Door handles are flush-fit achieving a seamless design that extends all the way to the back where a spoiler is stowed.
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Newly Launched
Thursday, 18 October 2012 06:09
2012 Paris: Subaru's BRZ XT Line hints anticipated turbocharged version
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of the Paris Motor Show
Still hoping for a turbo version of the BRZ? Well, while there are no concrete details yet, Subaru displayed a new trim of their rear-wheel-drive coupe at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show - the BRZ XT Line Concept.
A similar two-door-coupe, called the Subaru XT, was sold back in the 80's. It had a 112 hp 1.8L turbocharged engine and four-wheel-drive. If you think about it, maybe Subaru's giving us a hint and the BRZ XT Line is something to look forward to.
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Concept
Thursday, 11 October 2012 13:50
Paris 2012: Suzuki S-Cross my heart and hope to drive
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki has established its name in motorsports with its line of off-road vehicles. The Japanese automaker has been at the forefront of SUV’s since the launch of the Jimny - consequently bearing the Vitara and Grand Vitara - and has pioneered the crossover segment in Europe with the SX4. But now, Suzuki is forging its way into the crossover C-segment with its newly-launched concept, the S-Cross.
In a specially-created Crystal Green Metallic body color, the S-Cross was premiered at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sporting 20-inch chrome wheels, the Suzuki S-Cross stands at 1.60 meters tall, 1.84 meters wide, and 4.31 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. That makes it similarly-sized to its would-be competitors such as the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and upcoming all-new Ford Escape.
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Concept
Wednesday, 10 October 2012 08:28
Paris 2012: Hyundai’s marks WRC comeback with i20 rally car (w/ video)
Words by Rico Soriano | Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company
When was the last time you heard the words Hyundai and motorsports in the same sentence? Well, for most of you, probably never. But did you know that the Korean automaker used to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) back in 1999 with a four-wheel-drive Accent hatchback? Unfortunately, with limited success and a tight budget, they were forced to pull out after the 2003 season.
But at the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Hyundai proudly announced their return to the WRC with the i20. According to Mark Hall, Hyundai Motor Europe's Marketing Director: “Our participation will demonstrate Hyundai's engineering excellence and durability, and will also help to enhance our passenger vehicles in future."
Published in
Motorsports
Monday, 08 October 2012 08:44
Paris 2012: Kia's all-new 2013 pro_cee'd guarantees to turn heads
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Corporation
At this year’s Paris Motor Show, Kia puts their best foot forward when they debuted the all-new 2013 pro_cee'd. As the three-door version of the Kia cee'd hatchback, it's lower, sharper, and a lot sexier than its five-door counterpart that bowed in Geneva earlier this year.
The pro_cee'd isn't simply a chopped up cee'd. They've lowered the roofline by 40 mm, raised the shoulder line, and angled the rear windscreen to create the coupe-like shape. And to give it a bit more muscle, the rear fenders were widened and a spoiler was added to the rear. A set of 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with low profile tires and twin exhausts completes the look. Of course, the pro_cee'd swanks Kia's signature tiger-nose grill like its siblings.
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Newly Launched
Friday, 05 October 2012 07:55
Paris 2012: The McLaren P1 packs big balls due to Tight Genes
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of McLaren Automotive
Ever had those times when you meet a couple and thought what their kids would be like? It’s the same anticipation we had when McLaren gave the world a preview of the upcoming McLaren P1 at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. This vulgar display of car pornography gave us a peek of things to come from the loins of what used to be the ultimate super car, the McLaren F1.
But since only bits and pieces have been revealed about the entrails of the P1, we're left to dissect its little brother, the MP4-12C, to tickle our imagination and give a little “probably” to our “maybe’s.” To tickle out imagination, McLaren insiders threw a couple of bones… the biggest one being the MP4-12C.
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Newly Launched
Thursday, 04 October 2012 07:19
Paris 2012: Kia's all-new 2013 Carens is now a trendsetting family shuttle
Words by Rico Soriano | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors Company
Making its official debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the all-new fourth generation 2013 Kia Carens is now more than just your trendy MPV. As it boasts a very striking style, it's no longer a wallflower like its predecessor.
The face of the all-new Carens is highlighted by the signature tiger nose grill that's also found in other current Kias. But due to the MPV's sheer size and proportion, this execution looks a bit more aggressive. Complementing it is the headlights' upward stroke shape that sparkles like a supermodel’s eyes. In contrast, a more subtle design wraps the rear end to balance it all out.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 03 October 2012 09:49
Paris 2012: The 2013 Honda CR-Z is Renaissance Re-hashed
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
It’s no surprise that Honda decided to develop a sport hybrid coupe, given that the Japanese automaker is known for the sportiness attached to its name. Th CR-Z made its debut as a concept way back at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and as a production car three years later at the North American International Auto Show.
When it started out, the CR-Z was the brave new hybrid compact to veer away from traditional hybrid impressions by packaging itself as a “low, short, wide” parcel. But as environmental consciousness developed throughout the years, succeeding hybrid units from other automakers has downplayed the uniqueness of the CR-Z.
To stay ahead of the pack, Honda re-hashed its sport hybrid and came out with the new 2013 CR-Z, which made its official public debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
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Newly Launched
Tuesday, 02 October 2012 08:38
Paris 2012: Mazda's all-new 6 Wagon SkyActiv-D is diesel made sexy
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos by Mazda Motor Corporation
After breaking cover at the 2012 Moscow Motor Show in late August, the Hiroshima-based car manufacturer headed to the 2012 Paris Motor Show to mark the official public debut of the all-new 2014 Mazda 6 Wagon and its new SkyActiv-D engine.
Targeting the more eco-conscious European market, the 2.2L SkyActiv-D (“D” stands for diesel) generates 173 horses and complies with stricter EURO 6 emissions standards. This just proves that diesels too can be clean. Though fuel consumption figures aren’t out yet, we’re expecting it to be quite a bit more efficient than the 20 km/L we estimate from its gasoline counterpart.The 2.0 and 2.5 liter direct-injected gasoline SkyActiv-G engines, will also be available as an option with the all-new Mazda 6.
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Newly Launched
