After getting us excited about the arrival of its Corvette, Chevrolet Philippines also announced that it would be launching something more attainable. Say hello to the new Spark, and it’ll be here in March.
The Philippine distributor has actually released quite a bit of info already. Under the hood, we’re getting a 1.4-liter DOHC paired with a CVT. According to US specifications, this generates about 98hp and can do 17km/L. A new electric steering system should also make navigating in slow traffic easier. The Spark will be equipped with 15-inch alloys on the outside, a welcome upgrade from the current 14-inchers. Interested buyers can also look forward to a seven-inch touchscreen display with Chevy’s MyLink Infotainment System. For safety the small car gets dual airbags, ABS, dynamic stability control, traction control, an anti-theft alarm and an immobilizer. There is also a keyless entry system and power folding side mirrors. Most of these are improvements over the outgoing model. Having said that, we suspect the price may also increase because of all the new toys. On paper Chevy’s city car is promising. It looks well-equipped to compete in its competitive segment, and it will bolster the American carmaker’s local lineup. Are you looking forward to the new Spark? It's beginning to look like crossovers are the in thing at this year's Geneva International Motor Show. First, it was Subaru teasing us with the all-new XV. Now, Mitsubishi has announced it will be fielding its own challenger at the event: a completely new compact SUV model.
The Japanese carmaker has yet to reveal the vehicle's name. But if you've been following the online automotive rumor mill, chances are you're very excited. Buzz surrounding the upcoming car indicate it will carry the Eclipse nameplate. Yes, the Eclipse will become a crossover—well, at least if rumors hold true. Exciting stuff, but for now let's stick to what we know for sure. Mitsubishi says the compact SUV will be added to the company's crossover lineup along with the ASX, the Outlander and the Outlander PHEV. The lone image released with the announcement show the vehicle in red, draped in shadows. Here we see sleek, swept-back headlights, long taillights which push up toward the overhanging roof out back, and a very sporty silhouette. It's a sharp first impression, one which the company likens to a "coupe SUV" shape which conveys the image of a "stocky track athlete". Frankly, we like it. But the question remains: is this, or is this not the new Eclipse? Reactions to a potential Eclipse crossover have ranged from ecstatic to downright pissed, with some saying the move is akin to sacrilege. While all this hoopla is still premature, we do sort of get the sentiment. The last Eclipse to come out of a factory was way back in 2011, capping off a more than 20-year run which saw over 900,000 of them produced. Does the moniker's return in the form of a crossover sound good to you? Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) is turning its game up a notch with the introduction of a new Strada variant. Interested pickup buyers can now get their hands on a new Strada GLS 2WD.
The new variant comes with a 2.4-liter 4N15 Clean Diesel MIVEC engine that produces 178hp and 430Nm. It's paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission with sport mode. The exterior features a new dark chrome grille and side step plate. Also in chrome are the power side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. Up front are foglamp-integrated daytime running lights, complemented by a set of foglamps in the rear. Completing the package are 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the new Strada's seats are lined in high-grade black fabric. Its four-spoke steering wheel comes wrapped in leather and is mounted with audio and cruise control buttons. The AT variant's tiller also comes with magnesium paddle shifters. Safety features include ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, and Mitsubishi's Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body construction. The new Strada GLS 2WD variant is now available at all authorized Mitsubishi dealerships. The manual variant costs P1,215,000, while the automatic version will set you back P1,295,000. Price-wise, that places it above all the GL and GLX options, and below the 4WD GLS and GT-V variants. Who's reserving a unit? In August last year, Toyota Motor Philippines introduced the updated Vios subcompact sedan. It came with Toyota's much-anticipated NR-series Dual VVT-I engines. It was big news, yes, but anyone hoping for substantial changes in terms of looks were going to have to wait a wee bit longer.
If you're one of the many still waiting for aesthetic improvements in the Vios, you'll be excited to know that the recently-launched refresh in Thailand features a drastic makeover. Most notable is the vehicle's new-look front-end, which features sleeker headlights, an overhauled grille design, and new front fascia with daytime running lights. The Thai update runs on nicer-looking wheels, too. Despite the darker atmosphere, the interior update isn't as drastic. Inside you'll see a good amount of new red accents on the dashboard and seats, as well as a few new dials and an electronic climate control display. Everything else can already be found in currently available Philippine-spec units. Visually, the new car is akin to the 2017 Altis. It's an edgier design which ensures the Vios won't look outdated compared to the rest of Toyota's lineup anytime soon. Of course, everything regarding an update to the Philippine-spec Vios is still speculative. We wouldn't be too surprised though if Toyota Motor Philippines were to bring in a nip and tuck to go along with more efficient engines and performance. Do you think it's time the subcompact sedan got another refresh? If you've been spotting more and more Hyundai vehicles on the road lately, there's a good reason. The year 2016 was a fruitful one for the Korean carmaker. Hyundai Asia Resources (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the country, ended the year with a 53% growth in sales.
Its success can be attributed in part to the Eon and the Accent, which are still some of the top-selling passenger cars (PC) in the country. The strongest category for Hyundai was the subcompact segment, of which it sold 12,360 units. Mini PC sales, meanwhile, stood at 9,675. The light commercial vehicles (LCV) weren't far behind, with the Grand Starex leading the brand to a 52% growth in the segment. Hyundai's LCV sales grew by an astonishing 127% year-on-year compared to the last quarter of 2015. In all, HARI sold 33,695 vehicles in 2016. “Emulating the vitality of the country’s economy and its fast-growing automotive industry, 2016 proved to be a promising year for Hyundai. We can only look forward at 2017 with endless potential, as the company will continue to please the market with its line-up of modern premium products and services,” said HARI president and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. How do you guys think Hyundai will fare in 2017? It was the bet that paid off. After a year on the market, the Juke crossover has been a success for Nissan Philippines. We admit even we were skeptical about its chances, not because we didn’t admire the model, but we were afraid the conservative taste of Filipinos might not be ready for a design this radical. Good thing our fears were mostly unfounded.
To celebrate the Juke’s triumph, Nissan Philippines is coming out with a limited-edition variant called the Juke N-Style. These are basically new color schemes: Cosmic Blue with white accents and Obsidian Black with yellow accents. They will be enhanced by accessories like headlamp finishers and a roof spoiler. “We are excited to kick-off 2017 with a bang as we launch the new Nissan Juke N-Style,” said Ramesh Narasimhan, Nissan Philippines president and managing director. “The Nissan Juke is one of Nissan’s bestselling vehicles, being embraced by the local market since its launch early last year. And to celebrate, we are introducing the new N-Style variant of the Nissan Juke. With the introduction of this vehicle, we at Nissan continue on our push to be bolder and more exciting than ever before.” The Juke N-Style will be formally launched tomorrow, January 12, and based on the photos provided to us, we’re excited to see the it in the metal. That yellow stitching in the cabin is gorgeous. If you’re smitten like us and you have P1,080,000 (unlike us), visit your Nissan dealer quickly because only 500 units will be on sale. That was fast! It’s hard to believe the current-generation Mustang is already getting its first major facelift. When the current car made its global debut over three years ago it was such a huge leap forward from its predecessors that it still feels new. But being one of the bestselling sports coupes in the world, Fordwould of course want to keep its iconic pony car on top.
The American carmaker has just pulled the wraps off its new 2018 Mustang, and thankfully its designers didn’t stray too far from the current model’s winning formula. While its basic silhouette remains the same, those with sharp eyes will notice the sleeker nose which not only visually lightens the front-end, but also improves aerodynamics. Its hood—which features vents reminiscent of the 1968 GT 390—is now lower; same goes for its wider hexagonal grille flanked by slimmer, reshaped LED headlights. Its lower grille has been widened for a more aggressive look, while its foglights have now been positioned next to the LED turn signals. While the changes up front might be noticeable even from several meters away, the updates at the rear are more subtle. Its trademark tri-bar LED taillights are still 3-dimensional but now have a concave profile. It gets a more aggressive rear diffuser and quad exhaust tips on the GT variant. Other changes include a black creased trunk panel, a reshaped license plate recess, and a new available higher-profile performance rear spoiler. Personalizing your pony car? No problem. You now have a total of 12 wheel designs to choose from, new paint colors which includes the signature Orange Fury, and redesigned racing stripes. Although it retains the same general design inside, its new reconfigurable 12-inch LCD screen gauge cluster and upgraded interior materials give its cabin a more premium ambiance. Ride comfort and handling are improved thanks to retuned suspension systems, with new shock absorbers and new cross-axis joints in the rear. The Mustang Performance Package now features optional the MagneRide Damping System, a feature once exclusive to the Shelby GT350. Two gasoline engines will be offered: an updated 2.3-liter EcoBoost in-line-four, and a heavily revised 5.0-liter V8 which now features high-pressure direct injection and low-pressure-port fuel injection. While Ford didn’t reveal any numbers, it did mention an increase in torque for the turbocharged mill and a gain of both horsepower and torque for the V8 unit. Both engines can be paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Mustang hits US showrooms later this year. Expect export markets to follow at a later date. If you dig its new styling, now is a good time to start saving up for one. Coming off the recent reveal of the all-new Subaru Impreza in Singapore, it would seem that the Japanese carmaker already has a busy year planned. According to our interviews with Subaru officials in Singapore, the all-new Subaru XV is coming to our shores in 2017.
The global reveal of the all-new XV will happen at the Geneva International Motor Show this coming March. The last time we heard any updates on the XV was at last year's Geneva show. What we got was the concept car you see pictured above, which should give us some hint on what the new model will look like. For now, all we know is that it will be built on Subaru's new global platform, just like the all-new Impreza. Our region will see it up close in Taiwan later in the year. As for us Pinoys, we can expect the AWD crossover in the third quarter of 2017. Here, it will land right into a competitive market that includes rivals like the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3. The segment is becoming more and more popular with Filipino buyers who want decent ground clearance from their rides. The all-new XV will add to the growing list of choices. Who's excited for the all-new XV? The wait is finally over for nine countries in Asia. Motor Image, the exclusive distributor of Subaru in the region, launched the all-new Subaru Impreza during the 2017 Singapore Motorshow. The 2016-2017 Japan Car of the Year awardee is set to make its local appearance in the Philippines at this year’s Manila International Auto Show (MIAS).
The new Impreza features extended fender flares, hexagonal grille, and steering-responsive headlights. The vehicle is also the first model built on the new Subaru global platform. The brand’s new platform was designed to optimize the car’s structure and improve comfort starting with the Impreza, and for the next generation of Subaru cars to come. Four variants were introduced during the launch: a four-door and five-door 1.6i-S, as well as a four-door and five-door 2.0i-S. For now, Subaru is saying that only the four-door, 2.0i-S Impreza will be made available in the Philippines. The variant coming to our shores is equipped with Subaru’s boxer engine with direct injection putting out 154hp and 196Nm through a lineartronic CVT, and a symmetrical all-wheel drive system. For Pinoy buyers, the price is set at P1.38 million. The interior of the Impreza exudes sophistication with athletic elements, a design cue that the brand is known for. Aside from the spacious cabin and cargo room, the interior also boasts detailed stitching, an 8-inch touchscreen display, a 6.3-inch LCD display, and a smartphone-friendly infotainment system. Seven occupant protection airbags will come in as a standard feature, taking safety up a notch. You’ll be happy to know that the new Subaru is already available for reservation at local showrooms. The all-new US-spec Toyota Camry has landed at the Detroit Auto Show, just a little over a month after the Japanese carmaker teased its new-look, eight-generation midsize sedan's imminent arrival. The company is betting on the Camry's new global architecture—new engine, transmission and platform—to continue the nameplate's best-selling status in the US.
The 2018 Camry's most notable design changes are its two-piece grille and slightly lower hood; results of a new approach Toyota calls a 'Keen Look' design philosophy. More aggressive front and rear fenders have been added along with its futuristic new lamps, while the car's sleeker profile—a result of the designers' mission to pursue a wind-cutting shape, Toyota says—provides it with better aerodynamics and a sportier overall vibe. The car's shoulders and roofline have been lowered, as well as its seating positions. Still, Toyota says occupants will enjoy a "high degree" of personal space upon entering the completely redesigned cabin, which features a dynamic dash design, more space, premium materials and improved comfort and ergonomics. Drivers will find themselves manning the tiller from a sporty cockpit with gauges angled toward them. New to the lineup is Remote Connect, which allows drivers to start the vehicle from a distance, as well as receive notifications and keep track of their car via vehicle finder. Meanwhile, Available Service Connect lets owners keep track of fuel levels and maintenance alerts, and other pertinent information. Safety-wise, the car gets a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control, among other features. In the US, consumers can choose between two new engines with different levels of performance: a powerful 3.5-liter V6 and a tamer 2.5-liter four-cylinder. For motorists who prefer a cleaner form of transport, a next-gen Toyota Hybrid System will also be available. Camry chief engineer Masato Katsumata calls the car the most captivating midsize sedan Toyota has ever produced. It's unlikely we'll see the same here in the Philippines, as we'll probably see something considerably watered down, though we still do look forward to seeing the new Camry in the metal Ford already had a monster pickup on its hands when it released the current-gen F-150 and its military grade aluminum alloy body three years ago. Barring some drastic design or engineering changes, how could the company possibly up the ante? Well, now we know the answer.
To the delight of pickup fanatics the world over, the American carmaker has just unveiled the 2018 F-150 at the ongoing Detroit Auto Show. With updated looks, more features, and an all-new engine to play with, the iconic Ford vehicle looks set to continue its run as one of the most successful trucks in the business. The new F-150 gets a bolder, meaner look courtesy of a new front grille, headlamps, taillights, tailgate, and bumpers which give off a more intimidating vibe. The updated pickup also retains its lightweight aluminum alloy body, but now boasts more durable materials which prevent corrosion. Buyers can also choose from a variety of new wheel designs to go with the refreshed look. The real news here though has to be the truck's all-new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine—the first ever diesel offering for the F-150—and the expanded availability of Ford's revolutionary 10-speed automatic transmission. The pickup also receives an all-new 3.3-liter V6 (albeit with the same output as the previous model), and an all-new 2.7-liter Ecoboost engine. No performance figures on the diesel yet, but we wouldn't expect anything short of a beast. Other things worth noting include the addition of adaptive cruise control, safety features like pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection, and a new embedded 4G LTE modem which can connect up to 10 devices. You know, in case your lame friends would rather stay glued to their phones than watch you tear s*** up in your awesome new truck. Frankly, this thing makes just about every locally available pickup look scrawny. Still, we think Ford Philippines should bring this thing over. You know, just to be sure. Right before Christmas last year, Kia gave us our first glimpse at the all-new Picanto. Granted, it was only a sketch at the time, so there really wasn't too much to go on—but the revamped hatch's sportier appearance and edgier overall vibe was more than enough to have us eager for more.
Less than two weeks later, the Korean carmaker has finally released official images of the beloved city car's GT variant. The real thing stays true to the initial sketches, from the aggressive headlights down to the red trim and new-look front fascia. The vehicle is seen here in white, but the company says a range of vibrant paint jobs will be made available. The latest-generation's wheels are pushed out thanks to a wheelbase longer by 15mm, though the car retains its compact dimensions (it's still 3,595mm in length). The exterior's nice and all, but it's the interior which really has us foaming at the mouth. The car's cabin is absolutely gorgeous. Gone is the outdated head unit, replaced with a modern 'floating' touchscreen infotainment system. A/C vents have been rounded-out, and a redone trim and sleeker central console work together to convey a more premium feel. Other things of note include a simpler instrument cluster layout, and red stitching on the armrests, steering wheel and seats. Overall, it's a darker, sportier and more upscale look and we totally dig it. The all-new Picanto's official debut will take place at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. Kia says it will be packed with high-tech comfort, convenience and safety features, though we'd be happy if they manage to bring in even just the exact same look. Cross your fingers, guys. A third party investigating body tapped by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has released the results of its investigation on the alleged sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) of Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2010-2015 models. HORIBA MIRA Ltd, an automotive engineering company based in the United Kingdom, has found no technical cause that explains SUA incidents involving sudden unintended acceleration together with perceived inability to stop the vehicle.
MMC, on its own, took the initiative to contract HORIBA MIRA to remove doubts on the road worthiness of Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2010-2015 models. HORIBA MIRA started its investigation in June 2016 and released its formal findings in September 2016, which states: “The investigation has found only one plausible root cause for sudden unintended acceleration, and inability to stop the Mitsubishi Montero Sport vehicle. Our hypothesis is that these incidents were caused by the driver mistakenly applying the accelerator, believing that they were pressing the brake pedal. “Other root cause hypotheses have been excluded because they would require simultaneous, but temporary, malfunction of both the engine control and the vehicle braking system without fault conditions being logged by any vehicle systems and DTCs (Diagnostic Trouble Code) being recorded. Since these are independent systems, the possibility of simultaneous failure is extremely low. “There are other potential causes for undemanded acceleration that have not been ruled out by the investigation, but none of these would affect the braking system. If such a failure occurred, the driver would still have the opportunity to control the vehicle using the brakes or by disengaging the transmission. A suite of EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) screening tests were performed on a vehicle that had previously been involved in a SUA claim. The results showed that the vehicle is extremely resilient at very high test levels of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). … No adverse behaviour was observed during testing with levels corresponding to EU regulations and ISO standards.” With the third party investigation now complete, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) once again assures the public that the previous generation Montero Sport model (2010-2015) is neither defective nor unsafe to use. MMPC President and CEO Mr. Yoshiaki Kato commented: “We are very much pleased on the outcome of the results of HORIBA MIRA investigation. The methodical evaluation conducted by HORIBA MIRA, which found no irregularities in the function and design of vehicle, is an affirmation of our earlier statement that there is nothing wrong with the Montero Sport causing SUA. We hope that the results of the investigation, will finally put an end to the SUA issue on the Montero Sport.’’ MMPC turned over the complete results of HORIBA MIRA evaluation report to DTI for study and reference. The public may also access the full report of HORIBA MIRA here http://mmpc.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/horiba-mira-report-montero-sua-concern-investigation.pdf |
AuthorArticle Credits to Archives
July 2018
Brands and Categories
All
|