Wednesday, 12 December 2012 08:00
Business Class on Wheels | 2011 Nissan Murano 3.5L V6
Words and photos by Jose Carlo R. Sapera
The first generation Nissan Murano arrived in the Philippines way back in 2006 via grey market importers. Powered by a 350Z-derived 3.5L V6, we thought of it as Nissan's very own sporty and classy crossover SUV -- it surely looked the part. Soon after, Nissan Motors Philippines Inc. (NMPI) got wind of this mighty SUV and began bringing it in themselves. But when it came to its successor, the Murano Z51, the local distribution switched over to Universal Motors Philippines (UMC), Nissan's local distributor of Light Commercial Vehicles. Technically, that shouldn't really change the buying and ownership experience, but we just wanted to get the word out. Now that we got that bit out of the way, we can start talking about the details.
This all-new 2011 Murano is based on Nissan's D-platform which it shares with the Teana. It has somewhat lost the old Murano's boy-racer appeal and now looks a lot more grown-up and sophisticated. Still, its unique futuristic styling makes it stand out from any crowd. So, does it still hold to its promise of being a classy crossover like before?
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SUV
Friday, 08 June 2012 06:21
The all-new Pilot is Honda's supersized SUV
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
Aren't Hondas supposed to be small, compact, and lightweight? Well, as we found out, there's one exception to the rule, and it’s here in the Philippines. Meet the all-new Pilot, Honda Cars Philippines Inc's (HCPI) latest supersized SUV.
At 4.8 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 1.8 meters tall, the Pilot is about 20% bigger and 30% heavier than the CR-V. Heck, it’s so big that we reckon a Jazz can fit inside it. But the upside is that it can carry 60% more passengers, bringing up the total seating capacity to eight. And yes, as hard as it is to believe, this SUV can indeed fit three average sized adults comfortably in the last row. As a matter of fact, Honda claims that it has the best interior and luggage space in its class, beating the Mazda CX-9 and Hyundai Veracruz. Plus, this heavyweight can also swallow as much as 1,000 liters of cargo with the seats upright, or double that with the rear seats down.
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Newly Launched
Tuesday, 29 May 2012 04:57
The People's Choice | 2011 Mitsubishi Montero Sport GLX-V Limited 4x2 MT
Words and photos by Niky Tamayo
Every year, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrates the best in Philippine Cinema... supposedly. In reality, unlike at Cannes and Sundance, the Best Picture Award at the MMFF often goes to fantasy films starring geriatric actors and half-naked starlets. Of course, when the award actually goes to a halfway deserving film, it doesn’t really matter. The tired old franchises that enter every year still earn several times as much... each.
On the other hand, you have the Philippine Car of the Year Awards, which are based on artistic merit rather than box-office gross, and more importantly, don’t close all the theaters in the Philippines for two weeks. Granted, awards night still has half-naked dancers, but that’s because it’s held at MIAS. Errr... this year, the Montero Sport won its fourth consecutive SUV category title. That’s as impressive as winning four Best Movie Awards in a row. Strangely, the Montero Sport also happens to be a best-seller. That’s akin to the “Manila Kingpin” outselling Vic and Bong combined.
But like the Kingpin, the Montero Sport has its share of faults. Suffice to say, it’ll never be best picture at Cannes. So why is it so popular?
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SUV
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 07:41
Lamborghini previews Urus, Competition has a Cow
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.
If the name “Urus” doesn’t sound quite as evocative as names like “Aventador”, “Diablo”, and “Murcielago” (mercy, oh lawdie!), there’s a reason for that. The Urus (Ooh-roos) is a cattle breed halfway between fighting bulls and working bulls, noted for its tall, wide shoulders. It’s also known as an Auroch, but too many people know what that is... might as well call it “Angus.”
The Urus Concept is a 600 horsepower... thing... sitting halfway between a sports car and an SUV that promises to carry four people in style and to drive like nothing else on the road. Sounds familiar? Yes, it does. But don’t ask BMW or Porsche if they’re worried about the Urus eating into X6M and Cayenne Turbo sales.
They should be positively terrified.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 07 March 2012 14:21
EXP 9 F: Bentley's SUV concept exposed at Geneva
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos courtesy of Bentley Motors Limited
Global recession and gas prices may still be on everyone's mind, but apparently not on Bentley’s. Unveiling at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, the EXP 9 F SUV concept is the company's way of exploring “new terrain.” (Their words, not mine.) Of course, this being a Bentley, it can't very well stoop to using twin-turbo V8s like the proletariat. The Concept features a 6.0L W12 engine that "could" develop 600 hp and 800 Nm... if his eminence so desires.
To remind you that this thing has a twin-turbocharged engine, the 23-inch wheels are designed to look like turbines. So are the air intakes around the daytime running lights. And even though the headlights are not much different from those on current production Bentleys, gosh-darn-it, they look kind of turbo-fanny, too.
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Concept
Tuesday, 06 March 2012 09:42
Machismo Multiplied | 2011 Ford Explorer 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 AWD Limited
Words by Niky Tamayo | Photos by Ken Tamayo
I’ve always seen SUVs as a conceit: The Sport in “Sport Utility Vehicle” suggests some sort of rugged, manly endeavour, like climbing mountains, crossing rainforests, or clubbing baby seals. Despite the utter lack of sporting ability of some so-called SUVs, their Marlboro-esque machismo is a more effective status enhancer than an eggplant in your jockstrap. You’re never going to use them to their full potential, but boy do they look impressive.
Yet, after a few days with Ford's all-new Explorer, I’ve been having more and more doubts about my manhood. Driving meekly. Fudging overtakes. Avoiding crowded streets. At the end of the week, I would wake up screaming in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Well... not really... but I’m certain an SUV is meant to be intimidating to other drivers, not to the person behind the wheel.
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SUV
Monday, 20 February 2012 07:26
Porsche names its new small sporty SUV 'Macan' (w/ video)
Words by Christopher Kho | Photo and video courtesy of Porsche AG
Originally codenamed the 'Cajun', Porsche has now traded the somewhat edible alias of its new small sporty SUV for a more vigorous title: the Macan. And if you think that it's still in a concept stage, well, think again because according to Porsche, production begins in 2013.
Porsche has not released any details or specs of its upcoming SUV. Sources, however, point towards the probability that the Macan will be riding on the same platform as the Audi Q5, but with Porsche's own running gear. We don't think they'd be crazy enough to fit in the Cayenne's V8, so a smaller V6 or even a four-cylinder hybrid model sounds more realistic. But then again, we shouldn't be underestimating the Germans.
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Concept
Thursday, 09 February 2012 08:03
The Rough Rider's Adventure | 2011 Toyota Fortuner 2.7G 4x2 Gas AT
Words and photos by Christopher Kho
A decade ago, SUV's cost an arm and a leg in the Philippines, and were reserved for the rich, famous, and your otherwise infamous government official. But ever since Toyota brought the Fortuner to our shores, the almighty SUV has become more accessible to the masses, without losing its revered reputation as road bully. Other brands were quick to follow in its footsteps, and now, our roads are littered with these behemoths. So when the country's largest automaker came up with an updated version for 2011, we tried to find out this affordable SUV's secret to success.
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SUV
Monday, 05 December 2011 15:31
Feeling Invincible | 2010 Ford Everest 4x4 Limited AT
Words by Eric Ayrton S. Soriano | Photos by Christopher Kho
The 2010 Ford Everest faces formidable foes in the truck-based seven-seater SUV segment, namely the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Other vehicles very likely to be on the shortlist of typical SUV shoppers needing seven seats, all-weather capability, and the practicality of a diesel engine are the Korean cousins composed of the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Although most of the Everest’s chief rivals have undergone major upgrades recently, the current Everest has been enjoying resurgent sales in recent months.
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SUV
Friday, 22 July 2011 08:09
The 2012 Toyota Fortuner first blooms in Thailand
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Thailand
After its utilitarian brother was unveiled last week, the 2012 Toyota Fortuner was quick to follow in its tracks as it was launched into the limelight in Thailand. Sharing the same IMV platform as the Hilux, it too received a much-needed makeover to get it up to par with its more modern contemporaries. With a completely revitalized front end, a tricked-out techie interior, and a new 2.5 D-4D engine, the Fortuner now has a new outlook in life.
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Newly Launched
