DOF: Income tax cuts to make subcompacts, MPVs fairly priced Much has been made about the impending increase in the prices of automobiles because of the proposed excise tax but the Department of Finance (DOF) asserts that it will only really adversely affect luxury vehicles. Speaking with members of the senate, DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua made assurances that small cars and multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) will remain affordable to families because of the considerable personal income tax rate (PIT) cuts under the tax reform bill. Chua explained that the aim of the excise tax system for automobiles under the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) is to put in place a progressive system that will implement stiffer consumption taxes on the wealthy, thus a substantial increase in the price of luxury vehicles. As an example, Chua stated that a call center agent’s net income will increase by Php 22,000 a year and in a family setting where both parents are working, that’s an increase in annual net income by Php 44,000. “If two of them are working, the couple will take home PHP 44,000. So the increase in the price of Vios and Mirage will be much less compared to the increase in the take-home pay of these families. And because the non-rich will amortize or borrow, and given the low interest rates, this is actually still going to be affordable,” said Chua. The goal of TRAIN, according to Chua, is to simply slow down auto sales and not to ‘cripple’ the industry as expressed by some executives from the automotive industry. He further defending his assumption by citing examples of vehicles under the government's Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program. "Entry-level models such as the Toyota Vios will only increase by P10,000 and the high-end model of the Mitsubishi Mirage only by P13,000 per unit," he said. “We think that the overall impact (of TRAIN) is simply to slow down the sale of cars, but not to contribute to a contraction. We do not see that this tax will cripple the automobile industry,” added Chua. Chua also pointed out that the revenue gained from TRAIN will help fund the government’s program to increase infrastructure to reduce vehicular congestion. “We don’t think that the strategy going forward is simply to make cars affordable because we in the government believe that the key merit of development is not that the poor will have cars but the rich will take public transport -- and that is what we are proposing to do under the tax reform program,” Chua said. The proposed tax reform measures will also introduce additional levies on diesel and gasoline fuels, which power all vehicles everyday. Article by Auto Industriya
Good day, sir. Just want to ask if it's a good decision to buy the Ford Ecosport Trend AT to use as an Uber. How about the Nissan Juke, Honda City or Mazda 2? What are their pros and cons should we choose to buy one of them? Which car would you recommend based on fuel efficiency, performance, and maintenance cost? Hoping you can enlighten us regarding which vehicle we should purchase. Your help will be much appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, Menchu M. Hi, Menchu! Thanks for sending us an email. Regarding your choice for Uber, arguably the best type of vehicle to use is a common model precisely because parts will be plentiful and relatively affordable when looking through third-party suppliers. Know-how in terms of fixing and servicing the car will be more widespread and allow you to pick from a wider variety of independent car repair shops, too. Also, it will be easier to sell in a few years. In the list that you gave, the Honda City is the most common car. Since it is made locally, parts will be easier to find and should be cheaper versus cars that are rarer and made abroad. I dislike the Ford EcoSport because the dual-clutch transmission delivers a slightly jarring and harsh drive--especially when moving from dead stop on an incline. The Nissan Juke is a really fun compact crossover, but the rear seats are tight and cargo space out back is practically nonexistent. The Mazda 2 is also tight, something Uber riders won't appreciate. Aside from the City, the Hyundai Accent in diesel guise makes for a really good and economical car that's also very enjoyable to drive. The City and the Accent would be my top two choices if you'll be sticking to that budget range. Oh, and of course my ever favorite Honda Jazz, which will be even more practical than the City because of its hatchback body that allows you to dump more things in the back and pile them up. It looks good, too! Lastly, if it will be a purely business-related car, consider the Toyota Vios and Toyota Avanza. Both do seem a tad boring, lacking some style and pizzazz, but they're very reliable, affordable and quite cheap to maintain. Toyota is after all, a legend when it comes to durability and reliability. I hope this helps. Good luck on your choice and be safe on the road! Botchi Santos Consumer Editor Article by Top Gear Philippines
Motoring writers and enthusiasts have not warmed up much to the Mitsubishi Mirage, knocking it for poor driving dynamics and lackadaisical performance. But despite this, it has been a hit with economy buyers. With a lot to offer for the money—at least locally—the mini-Mitsubishi has forced other players to adapt or die. More refined cars like the Kia Picanto and the Hyundai Grand i10 have struggled to compete on price, while cheaper cars have struggled to match it on space and specs. But with the Celerio now boasting Mirage-rivaling space, can the face-lifted Mirage still retain its market lead? First impressions are good. The recent facelift boasts a new grille and sharper front-end sheet metal than the blobby old car. The interior is still a sea of hard black plastic, but ambience goes up a notch with the inclusion of the touchscreen head unit from the GLS. The seats are comfortable on long drives, if a bit lacking in thigh and lumbar support. Legroom is still better than in most small cars, beating even the upsized Celerio. While taller rear passengers will find the roof a bit low, generously reclined seatbacks make for good long distance comfort. The driving position is still on the low side, but it can be adjusted for rake. The five-speed gearbox still suffers from a vague clutch biting point and floppy shift quality, but it proves quick and stress-free to use. Unfortunately, also unchanged is the weight- and cost-saving dual engine-mount setup, which leaves the Mirage more prone to shuddering under load than the Celerio. The 3A92 three-cylinder engine itself, however, is still a champ. While lacking in low-end torque compared to other 1.2- and 1.3-liter units, MIVEC valve trickery and optimized breathing give it some high-rev zing and the ability to do 26km/L at 80kph. Going over 3,000rpm at 100kph, it still pips the 20km/L mark, making it a viable long distance cruiser. The old GLX wasn’t quite suited to the open road, plagued by a bouncy ride, wooly steering, and poor tracking over ruts. Stiffer springs now eliminate the boat-like wallowing, while a recalibrated steering rack makes for more precision and quicker turn-in. That said, the steering is a bit too flighty, and at full-blast, body roll in corners is still severe. Even in sedate driving, the tires are noisy, and the Mirage can feel rattly over potholes. Add in a cheap-sounding horn and a flimsy tonneau cover, and it’s obvious where Mitsubishi has cut corners to get the price down. That said, the cost and weight savings result in an astonishingly light car that seats five and aces global crashworthiness requirements. The lightness and the tiny engine pay dividends as well, in terms of running and maintenance costs. And the finger-twirl steering, along with the ample engine grunt, makes it feel much zippier than most small cars through traffic. It’s hard to find this much space and equipment elsewhere at this price—but Suzuki just might have something to say about that. SPECS: Mitsubishi Mirage Price: P560,000 Engine: 1.2-liter DOHC I3 Power: 77hp @ 6,000rpm Torque: 100Nm @ 4,000rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual Layout: FWD Seating: 5 IMAGE Christian Halili UP NEXT SUZUKI CELERIO The old Celerio was a charmer, with its goggly-eyed countenance, tiny size, and rorty K10 three-pot. The new one more closely resembles a micro van. But it has traded in its quirky charm for an anonymously non-offensive look. On the inside, however, that boxiness pays off. The Celerio has much more headroom than the Mirage does, and the extended wheelbase gives it legroom that’s only a finger or two shy. Gone is the gimmicky motorcycle instrument pod, replaced by a full gauge cluster. Fit and finish marginally betters that of Mitsubishi; we’re still undecided if the plasticky finish on the door panels counts as ‘fabric.’ Console storage wins over the Mirage, with multiple shelves that don’t force you to wedge gadgets under the dash or in inadequate door pockets. On the debit side, the narrow cabin means the front cupholders sit below the seats rather than by your knees, and the rear bench is a tight fit for three. In terms of cargo capacity, the Celerio just pips the Mirage. While latter has a deeper and wider trunk, the former’s bigger trunk opening, longer floor, and square load bay are more suitcase-friendly. Unfortunately, that extra capacity comes courtesy of upright rear seatbacks—a disadvantage for those who use those seats often. Where the Celerio isn’t at a disadvantage is in the drive. On twisty two-lanes, it boasts more confident turn-in and a more composed ride, though there’s still quite a bit of body roll at a push. The steering, while lacking in feel, is much more measured and precise, and compares favorably to pricier hatchbacks like the Chevy Spark and the Honda Brio. The ride is a bit stiff-legged, but the car doesn’t crash over bumps like the Mirage does. Around town, big glass and incredible sightlines make it ridiculously easy to thread through traffic, and the positive gearshift and clutch are confidence-inspiring. The carried-over K10 engine, while weaker on paper, feels eager at low revs, with a more linear powerband and a raspy exhaust note that conjures up fantasies of miniature Lamborghini V12s. Much unlike the tuneless drone of the Mirage. At highway speeds, it struggles to pace the Mirage. The trade-off here is fantastic economy. While the Celerio’s 26-30km/L cruising economy might not seem impressive compared to modern 1.5-liter sedans that hit 25km/L, it is unparalleled in traffic, boasting 16-18km/L in mixed running and 10-12km/L in even the heaviest congestion. It bests the Mirage by around a kilomer The Celerio is marginally easier to park, and shorter drivers do have a better view, despite the lack of height adjustment. Sad to say, you don’t get a touchscreen system at this price, but sound quality trumps the Mitsubishi. And if you really want it, a touchscreen comes standard with the CVT variant, which is only P9,000 more than the manual Mirage GLX. Interesting conundrum, right? SPECS: Suzuki Celerio Price: P514,000 Engine: 1.0-liter DOHC I3 Power: 67hp @ 6,000rpm Torque: 90Nm @ 3,500rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual Layout: FWD Seating: 5 IMAGE Christian Halili The Verdict While the Mirage is still a runaway bestseller, the Celerio is Suzuki’s first micro car to boast global-level crash safety, sitting just one star shy of the Mirage’s five-star ANCAP rating. And it only loses that last star due to the lack of side curtain airbags, which aren’t available on the Mirage GLX, either. One could argue that the Mirage is a no-brainer for the price. It offers the power and space of a subcompact with the price and economy of a microcar. The Celerio, on the other hand, feels like a more mature product. It is the only direct competitor that roundly beats the Mirage in terms of economy. The venerable K10 is also a more characterful and willing performer than the Mitsubishi 1.2-liter, lacking only that last bit of oomph past 80kph. Considering most owners will spend most of their time stuck in crawling rush-hour traffic, that’s an easy sacrifice to make. Against the old Mirage, the Celerio would be an unquestioned winner. Superior driving dynamics and refinement would have won the day. The new Mirage, on the other hand, does just enough to justify a points win over the Suzuki, driving less like a wet noodle and more like a slightly soggy one. Neither of these cars is ever going to get your heart thumping, but the Mirage’s extra power and kit go some way toward convincing you that you’ve bought something a little more than basic transportation. Article by TopGear Philippines
Are you willing to give up using your vehicle for two days a week? If the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) plan to implement a two-day coding scheme pushes through, you might just have to. According to a report by Inquirer.net, MMDA chairman Danilo Lim has proposed that a two-day coding scheme replace the current one to help lessen the volume of vehicles congesting Manila's streets. "Pinag-iisipan natin with the support of the Metro Manila Council, mga mayors natin, kung pwedeng i-modify pa 'yung number coding scheme," Lim says. "Siguro pwede naman kaunting sakripisyo pa para sa lahat. Baka pwede gawing two days every week ang hindi paggamit ng sasakyan." Lim cites the sheer volume of cars, shoddy road conditions, lack of discipline, and not enough personnel and support as major contributing factors to the capital's terrible traffic situation. "Sobrang dami talaga ng sasakyan dito sa Metro Manila. We have more than 30% of vehicles nagsasama dito sa less than 5% (of roads). So volume problema, kailangan talaga bawasan." "Sa MMDA, kulang talaga 'yung tao namin. Kulang na nga, 'yung suporta pa eh, underpaid. Marami tayong traffic enforcers na P6,000 lang isang buwan, mababa na nga nade-delay pa," Lim added, saying that there is a delay in salaries by the Department of Budget and Management. "These are some of the things na nakaka-aggravate sa ating sitwasyon sa traffic at aksidente." Does a two-day number coding scheme sound reasonable to you? Or should government agencies come up with a different solution to address the increasing volume of vehicles in Manila? Let us know in the comments; we wouldn't be surprised if the authorities are reading them. Article by TopGear Philippines
Cockroaches, ants, rats, and mosquitoes--having these pests inside your vehicle is something no driver ever wants to deal with. Regardless of whether they crawl or buzz around, get rid of them immediately. Because there's no feeling quite like that mini heart attack you get upon realizing there's an unwelcome passenger climbing up your pant leg in the middle of a drive. With that in mind, we've put together a short guide on how to remove and prevent unwanted guests from calling your vehicle home. Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with them, straight from our experts: 1. Be careful where you park. Avoid parking under ant-infested trees or stagnant bodies of water. Positioning one's ride within the vicinity of these pests' breeding grounds is just asking for trouble. "Common sense will dictate not to park your car next to or on top of an anthill or, even worse, giving your hotrod some cool shade under a tree where army ants have nestled," says Top Gear Philippines writer Manskee Nascimento. Meanwhile, technical editor Ferman Lao shares it's best to ensure any spot is clean and well lit prior to parking: "By keeping the area where you park your car generally clean, you reduce the chances of mosquitoes migrating into your car's cabin. " He adds to make sure all windows and doors are closed before leaving your vehicle. 2. Don't eat inside your vehicle. For obvious reasons. After all, you don't want to turn your ride into a mobile buffet table. "If you can't avoid it completely, make sure to always do a proper clean-up after," Manskee says. 3. Watch your hygiene. Anything from different kinds of body odor and sweat, to smelly socks and feet can attract mosquitoes, says Ferman. "How we smell affects how prone we are to being bitten. Scientists haven't entirely identified which scent yet, but noted that some odors are more attractive to mosquitoes than others." Avoid leaving sweaty gym clothes inside your car. Keep in mind though that certain perfume scents also attract pests. 4. Your seat covers make a difference. Avoid synthetic-leather seat covers, Ferman says. These don't breathe, leading to more sweat and residue. Fabric alternatives are better. You can even skip seat cover completely and use a fabric protector instead. 5. A quick wash and vacuum might do the trick. You can try flushing out those pesky bugs via a quick trip to the car wash, Manskee says: "Ants aren't fond of water so if you have neglected your car for some time, then a good wash followed by vacuuming all internals would definitely be in check." Do remember to get into every nook, cranny and corner of your vehicle though, as "These provide a hiding place for the skeeters to rest while they wait for their prey to appear," says Ferman. If rats or mice somehow find their way into your engine bay, Ferman says a little detailing may help: "Getting the engine bay detailed will, at the very least, get rid of some of the scent that may have been left behind by both man and mice. This also includes urine, which animals use to mark their territory." 6. If all else fails, go with insecticide, baits and traps. Or in Manskee's case, water-based insecticides: "I sprayed it in the suspected areas of infestation, including the handbrake slit. I also sprayed some areas within my dash, as they tend to thrive and lay eggs in such places. Immediately after spraying, I closed all the doors with the windows completely shut to allow the chemicals to stay concentrated within the cabin." Of course, do not forget to air your vehicle out afterwards. Remember, bigger game such as mice and rats will require bigger traps, too. 7. An organic approach can work, too. Citronella-based insect repellants and bars are easily available, and citronella-based air fresheners are already available in the market. Manskee calls it "nature's gift to us cockroach haters." 8. Don't neglect your car. According to Manskee, garage queens are more prone to bug invasions than daily drivers. "A vehicle that is used twice or thrice a week won't attract these resourceful arthropods. Go for a drive!" "Vehicles that are immobile for long periods of time or those which are not being used often are the ones that usually encounter this problem. After all, rodents may find it comfortable to live inside a non-moving home," Ferman says. Article by TopGear philippines What is it? The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is more crossover than Eclipse. There’s no relevance in its taking its middle name from the Eclipse sports coupe of distant memory. Instead it’s a fairly mainstream crossover. The styling is robust in the lower half, reflecting Mitsubishi’s 4x4 heritage, but it has a more dart-like upper profile than its boxy rivals. It’s the first complete work of Tsunehiro Kunimoto since he arrived as Mitsubishi’s chief of design. He joined from Nissan three years ago. Ironically, Nissan later took a lifeline shareholding in the troubled Mitsubishi Motors, so you could call this the last pure Mitsubishi. In the future, Mitsubishi will donate PHEV and 4x4 expertise to Nissan-Renault. Traveling in the other direction will be Nissan platforms, and presumably, Nissan’s ability to operate at a profit. If you’re a student of the Mitsubishi range, the Eclipse Cross fits in size between the ASX and the Outlander. If that doesn’t seem a huge gap, be aware the next-gen ASX will shrink and the next Outlander will grow. That’ll open up more elbow room for the Eclipse Cross. The first engine is a new lightweight 1.5 turbo gasoline. Mitsubishi’s existing (if modified) 2.2 diesel will follow. We tried the 4x4 version of the turbo gasoline, which comes with a mandatory CVT auto transmission, albeit one with fake stepped modes for when you take over-ride control. The front-driver gets a manual, and the 2.2 diesel has a proper eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s bigger inside than rivals because the wheelbase is long, taken directly from the Outlander, as is most of the suspension. It’s also versatile, helped by sliding reclining rear seats. But the bobtail does reduce trunk space. The cabin style and finish is a whole lot better than previous Mitsubishis. That of course isn’t saying much, so let’s add that it’s into the upper-middle of the rivals. Driving: What is it like on the road? The turbo gasoline engine smears its torque over a wide range, so it responds well from low down. It also sings sweetly and quietly at the top end. But annoyingly, at 4,000rpm, which is what you use a lot when pressing on, it drones annoyingly. Just driving around towns, or in gentle traffic, the CVT is smooth and sane, choosing a ratio that plays to the engine’s low-rev strengths. And yeah, we know CVTs are efficient and light. But floor it and, as they all do, it causes the engine to moan like a dying cow, abandoning correlation between speed and revs, and the response to throttle inputs is fuzzy. That makes it irksome and disconcerting to use. For driving down twisty roads, where you want predictable response through a corner, it’s entirely critical to fix it in one of the eight virtual ratios via the paddles. The steering is oddly weighted around the straight ahead, so it’s easy to drift out of your highway lane. It’s like driving in slush. Then you get to a corner or roundabout, probably too fast if you’ve not taken control of the CVT because there’s then no engine braking. So you yank the wheel and the car rolls onto the outside-front wheel, and then you get back on the throttle and there’s more CVT delay before you finally lurch your way out. But guess what. Get the entry right, hold a ratio on the paddles, turn in smoothly and matters are very different. You can feel the AWD system shuffling effort to the tires that can use it, and the chassis and steering feed some info, and the balance is fine. It’s really strange. Such a dissonance between initial impression and dynamics under stress. I can’t imagine many family-crossover buyers will ever get beyond the soggy outside to find, let alone enjoy, the resolved core. Still, anyone can appreciate a pliant ride. It’s got one, and doesn’t clang or thump over lateral ridges. It cruises through the air quietly, too. On the inside: Layout, finish, and space The Eclipse Cross carves a lot of people space from its compact footprint. You sit in the usual throne-like crossover attitude up front. Out back, there’s top-class leg room, and foot space under the front seats. Enough headroom too (just), but then you couldn’t expect more when you see the roof-line. Open up the tailgate and the reason becomes clear. The trunk isn’t very big. Not fore-to-aft because the rear seats are set well back, nor indeed top-to-bottom because the luggage blind is set low down so you can see out of the spilt rear window. There’s an answer. You can slide the back seat bench forward, either one-third, two-thirds or all of it. This adds trunk space, although this leaves endless possibilities for small clutter to disappear into the seat sliding mechanism, never to be seen again. The rolled up blind stores under the floor, handily. The strongly three-dimensional dashboard emerges at you in a series of tiers, like the architecture of a sports stadium. It looks good, though does force some compromises, like hiding the climate controls in a deep dark recess. Still, at least they are proper controls, not virtual ones lost behind layers of screen menus. Some of the other switchgear is scattered around with little apparent clarity or logic. By the time you’ve fumbled around and found the lane departure or collision warning system switches, you might have already had the collision. The dials and screens are clear enough, and top versions have a head-up display. Infotainment is controlled by a touchscreen or well-designed trackpad controller down in the center console. Mirroring of Apple or Android phones is standard, just to add to the user-friendliness. Owning: Running costs and reliability The gasoline FWD manual is officially rated at 15km/L. The 4x4 auto is barely worse, at 14.3km/L. There’s usually a bigger gap between FWD and 4WD, so that’s a demonstration of the efficiency of the loathsome CVT. Sorry. Prices haven’t been fixed as we write. But it won’t be bargain-basement. It’s built in yen, so currency isn’t favorable. Neither, as we write this, have insurance, or NCAP ratings been fixed. Check back later. Standard or optional are most of the safety and driver-assist features you’d expect: collision warning, active cruise including stop-and-go, blind-sport warning with cross-traffic assist, and all-round parking cameras. It’s only lane-departure warning, though, not lane-keeping assistance. The verdict It's a comfy, versatile crossover that looks distinctive enough to be recognizable in this crazily crowded market. Better to drive than the first impression suggests, but in the 4x4 you’ve got to fight your way past an obstructive CVT. Article by TopGear Philippines
This is the new Kia Stonic, and we reckon you know the story by now. Y’know how compact crossovers are rather big business? As in, Hyundai and Citroen have revealed their very own takes within the last week? Well, here’s yet another one. Think Kia Rio supermini, on tiptoes. That’s the Stonic.
What do we reckon to the looks, then? After all, there’s a lot of competition to stand out against. The Stonic wears its rough’n’tumble kick-plate-style bumpers well, but the signature detail is that color-contrast roof, which Kia confusingly refers to as a ‘Targa style roof.’ Hmm. We can confirm that the Kia Stonic’s roof does not lift out, a la Honda NSX or mid-1980s Porsche 911, so it shouldn’t be called ‘Targa.’ It should be called ‘color contrast roof.’ You can have 20 different body paint finishes and five colors for the roof, since you ask. What else? Well ,there’s the standard Kia ‘tiger nose’ face, behind which you’ll be able to spec numerous gasolines and diesels, most interesting being the 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder petrol good for 118hp and a 1.6-liter diesel aimed at low-CO2 tax breaks and company car users. All pretty standard stuff. Like most Kias and Hyundais, the Stonic’s been subjected to chassis tuning in Europe to make sure its steering and suspension are up to the task of aggressive European driving habits in general, and rubbish British roads in particular. You won’t be able to have four-wheel drive (as if you were going off-road), but there is torque-vectoring on board to tidy up your wayward cornering. Inside, well, it’s a Kia Rio, but with a higher roof, and orange bits in this one to match the orange not-a-targa roof. Standard equipment includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional packs add so much anti-crash and pedestrian-saving tech we suspect the Stonic might be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Kia’s clearly done some serious homework for its first B-SUV: It reckons the sector currently does up 1.1 million European sales and will soar past 2 million by 2020, overtaking C-segment SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai in the process. So, you’ll be seeing one or two of these Stonics about, then. After releasing several teasers, Hyundai has finally pulled the wraps off its new vehicle, the Kona. This funky model will sit below the popular Tucson compact crossover SUV. Like its siblings, it too is named after a place. In this case, a Hawaiian district popular among adventurous tourists.
It’s clear that the 4,165mm long, 1,800mm wide, and 1,550mm tall Kona was designed to go up against the more stylish B-segment crossovers like the new Toyota CH-R and the Nissan Juke. Up front, its familiar 'Cascading Grille' is probably the only thing that links it to its siblings. To create a distinct face, its slim daytime running lights and turn signals are positioned high up on each corner. The main LED headlights are separate units positioned low on matte black panels that blend with the front wheel arch trims. Bulging fenders, prominent rear haunches, and sculpted door panels give it a muscular look. The front styling theme is mirrored at the back—its slim taillights are mounted high, while its turn signals and reversing lights are paired on the protective matte black panels, which blend with the rear wheel arch trims. Like most trendy new vehicles, it features a contrasting roof color that begins from the bottom of the A-pillars. Inside, it features a sleek dashboard with horizontal lines and a vertical floating screen at the center. On the tech end, it’s available with a premium infotainment system which features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Depending on the trim or market, you’ll have the option of a 5-, 7-, or 8-inch display. It also features a heads-up display and wireless charging for compatible smartphones. The Kona will be offered with three gasoline powerplants: a 147hp 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson mill paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 175hp Gamma 1.6-liter turbocharged T-GDI lump mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch, while Europeans also have the option for tiny 118hp 1.0-liter turbocharged T-GDI 3-cylinder unit coupled to a 6-speed manual. A 1.6-liter oil-burner will also be offered in select markets. It rides on a new platform and is available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive, each featuring its own rear suspension. FWD models get a rear torsion beam while AWD models get a multi-link independent rear set-up. A Kona Iron Man Special Edition will also be displayed at Hyundai’s Motorstudio in Soul. As the name suggests, it gets its inspiration from Tony Stark’s powered armored suit. The Kona will hit Korean showrooms later this month, followed by export markets like America and Europe. Will it reach out shores? Seeing how closely positioned the Creta and Tucson are to each other currently, you shouldn’t hold your breath. Unless Hyundai makes room for it, the Kona’s addition to the local lineup is seemingly uncertain. It follows the design and functional idioms of its bigger Kia SUV brothers, but packages it all up inside something that’ll sit in the Ford Fiesta class of cars. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a cartoonish render of the all-new Kia Stonic.
Yup, Stonic. It is, according to Kia, an “eye-catching and confident compact crossover” (read: small SUV) that’s geared towards the more pimpled side of the car-buying demographic. And, as cartoonish renders go, it looks pretty fly. It’s familiarly Kia all round, while inside we’re told it’s been focused around tech and ergonomics. It may be small, but Kia promises great packaging for all occupants, while up front there’s a ‘floating’ screen that allows smartphone accessibility and so forth. No pictures of the inside have yet been revealed, so we’ll have to wait and see. Not too long though, because it’ll go on sale later this year in the UK. Engines? Again, no word, but considering its dimensions (it’s a B-segment car), expect ones similar to those fitted in the new Rio: a range of small units, ranging from 1.0-liter gasolines, through 1.25- and 1.4-liter versions with up to 100hp, and a few small diesels too. Oh, and about that personalization bit: Kia promises that this new Stonic will be the most customizable car it’s ever built, “both inside and out.” Which sounds fine, but please, just go easy on the options. Just when you thought you’d seen the last of this infamous acronym, it comes back when you least expect it. Last month the Department of Trade and Industry released a directive about the 2010-2015 Montero Sport (automatic variant), and ruled that Mitsubishi had to recall those units because of alleged accidents they caused.
Last we heard about this topic early this year, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation commissioned an independent third-party to prove the mechanical innocence of its midsize SUV. The firm tasked to study the issue, Horiba Mira, found no fault in the Montero Sport, and concluded that it was driver error. The new DTI ruling basically agrees with this conclusion, but says that “pedal misapplication” is the cause of SUA, and that it is the fault of the SUV’s ergonomic design. In a statement released to the media, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines says that the DTI ruling is NOT final and executory. Here’s the rest of the statement: “It is important that in the findings of the DTI itself found that there is no basis for any of the claims of Sudden Unintended Acceleration in the Montero Sport. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation filed a Motion for Reconsideration against the regulatory ruling by the DTI concerning the 2010-2015 Montero Sport automatic. Given our absolute commitment to customer safety, our principal Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Japan, commissioned Horiba Mira Ltd., a specialist automotive engineering company based in the UK, to conduct tests on this alleged SUA claims. Horiba Mira found no technical issue with the 2010 - 2015 Montero Sport automatic. We remain confident in the technical integrity of these models, and will robustly defend the safety compliance of the vehicle concerned. No safety-related concerns on SUA have been raised in any other market concerning the Montero Sport (2010-2015) automatic, of which 360,000 units have been sold around the world. We will not comment further until the adjudication process is complete.” We will monitor this story as it develops. What do you think about the DTI ruling? This, ladies and gents, is the new Nissan X-Trail. Sure, it’s not a new GT-R variant. It’s a lot more sensible than that. But Nissan’s stats say it was the world’s best-selling SUV in 2016, with over 750,000 sold. Nearly four million have sold in its lifetime. So it’s rather popular, at least.
Popularity means its facelift has been kept fairly mild. There’s a new grille (called the ‘V-motion grille’), LED lights available on the front and back, and some snazzy new 17in and 18in alloys. So far, so predictable. Bigger news lies beneath the skin, for this is an X-Trail that will be able to drive itself. Optional from 2018 will be ‘ProPilot’, Nissan’s first stage of autonomous driving tech. “ProPilot will control the steering, acceleration and braking in a single lane on highways during heavy traffic congestion and high-speed cruising,” we’re told. Handy for when the kids filling the five seats behind you are wreaking havoc and need a stern word, perhaps. There are all sorts of other safety and parking helpers available, while the trunk has been reshaped and now comes with nine different layouts and as much as 1,996L of luggage space. Buy 2,000L of orange juice and now you’ll only need to leave four liters behind. Nissan is offering a big Bose stereo--the most serious system it’s ever offered in Europe, we’re told. For all its claims of being a bestseller, though, we reckon the X-Trail is a bit underrated. It’s a good one, and now it can drive itself. We hope this feature makes its way to our market. Want one? China-only 2017 Toyota Yaris L receives new appearance package The long-wheelbase version of the Toyota Yaris has just received its mid-cycle refresh courtesy of a sporty appearance package. Only available in China, the 2017 Yaris L receives an all-new aerokit and alloy wheels. Both available for the 1.5 E Speed and 1.5 G Speed Skylight variants, the 2017 Yaris L gets a more aggressive front fascia that is comprised of a new chin spoiler, blacked-out bumper and grill accents, and tweaked headlights. The rear bumper, on the other hand, now comes with a diffuser which not only spruces up the exterior but also improves the Yaris L's aerodynamics. Topping it all off are side skirts which come with red accents and the stylish 15-inch alloy wheels. Providing power is the familiar 1.5-liter 1NZ-FE inline-four with Dual VVT-i. It puts out 108 PS at 6000 rpm along with 140 Nm of torque at 4200 rpm. The sole transmission option is a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Lower variants of the 2017 Yaris L are powered by the 1.3-liter mill which puts out 99 PS at 6000 rpm and 123 Nm of torque. It is then mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
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The Hyundai Veloster is at a strange crossroads at the moment. Like its Genesis Coupe stablemate, it looks fast and sporty but it's more comfortable being a touring car. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 201hp. At P1,588,000 it should be considered a bargain compared to sports cars in its price range like the Toyota 86 and the Mazda MX-5. But the sporting nature of those two Japanese models is what distances them from this Korean hatchback. However, if you want a head-turning three-door vehicle (as you may know, this has a unique door configuration) that you can drive for hours comfortably, the Veloster should be on your shortlist. I did a quick drive to Pampanga with it and it was a pleasant road companion. The ride is smooth, the NVH is good, and the cabin feels much more premium than the typical Elantra or Tucson. In other words, you do get what you're paying for, as long as you know what to expect. For a better look at this unique offering from Hyundai, click play on the video above. House passes tax reform bill with higher excise tax on automobiles Yes, you can expect the prices of automobiles -among many other things- to take a significant hike next year, but not as much as originally expected. The House of Representatives of the Philippines has today passed -after the second and third readings- the administration's tax reform package. The new piece of legislation, House Bill 5636, which will be known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, is a centerpiece of the current administration and was approved by the House of Representatives after President Rodrigo Duterte gave it a certification of urgency. When passed to law, TRAIN will lower personal income tax (PIT), though will increase excise taxes on commodities such as automobiles. Under HB 5636, automobile excise taxes will increase based on the schedule below, and will also be implemented in two phases: the first will take effect on January 1, 2018 while the second phase will take effect on January 1, 2019. Like House Bill 4774, the new bill will levy more excise taxes on premium and luxury automobiles than the volume models. While higher than the current scheme, it should be noted that the new tax schedule is significantly lower than the original proposal under House Bill 4774.
The players in the Philippine auto industry voiced their concerns over a “shock” effect that would see prices rise dramatically, dampening sales for the volume brands and models and potentially cripple the premium and luxury brands. The provisions of the bill also exclude hybrids (gas-electric, diesel-electric) or purely electric vehicles from the increased taxes. Single-cab and chassis models are also exempted along with special purpose vehicles such as cement mixers and the like. AutoIndustriya.com will run a simulation of how the new excise tax proposal can increase vehicle prices soon. |
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