Is a new Toyota Wigo on the way? New images of the city hatch's refreshed version—called the Toyota Agya in other markets—recently broke cover on the Toyota Indonesia website, showing off an edgier, more mature exterior design, and a few minor interior updates.
Up front you'll notice that the Japanese carmaker has ditched the old front fascia and grille in favor of a more modern design dominated by black plastics. On top of this, there's a new chrome accent flanked by new, boxier headlights. The image you're seeing is the hatchback's Indonesia-spec TRD variant, so chances are there's plenty on there we won't see in regular models. Inside, we see pretty much the same AC vents, steering wheel design (with button controls), dials, and dashboard. There's a bit more chrome to go around, as seen on the shift knob and door handles. And there's a busy interior pattern happening on the seats and doors, too. In Indonesia, the new Wigo comes in five variants—two of them TRD—with two engine options: a 1.0-liter capable of 66hp and 89Nm, and a 1.2-liter mill that puts out 87hp and 108Nm of torque. The base 1.0-liter variant come with only a five-speed manual transmission, while the higher models allow you to opt for a four-speed automatic. In contrast, currently available Philippine-spec Wigos only come in a 1.0-liter capable of 64hp and 85Nm. We've heard rumors regarding the imminent Philippine arrival of the updated city hatch. If these ring true, we should see the refreshed model in our market much sooner rather than later. Does a new-look Wigo sound appealing to you? If you're viewing this on a mobile device and can't see the video, please click here.
Millennials. We don’t like being called that. We don't all associate with our era's taste in music, or all smoke vapes, and stay glued to social media 24/7 either. But if continuing to generalize those born between 1981 and 1997 means Toyota will push the FT-4X into production one day, then we'll suck it in. Revealed at the 2017 New York International Auto Show, the Japanese carmaker is marketing the concept crossover as the ride of choice for "casualcore" millennial adventurers. It's a toy, but a very rugged and capable one, Toyota says. By the looks of it, we have to agree. The Japanese carmaker goes as far as to call the FT-4X a nod to the classic FJ Cruiser. That's nice, but we see it as more of the classic's yuppie, carefree younger brother. Want to see more of Toyota's new concept crossover? Press play on the video above. Last month, the current-generation Honda Civic 1.8E CVT received a minor upgrade courtesy of a pair of additional convenience features. Now, it looks like the sedan's higher-end RS Turbo variant will be getting the same goods.
Honda Cars Philippines has announced that the Civic RS Turbo will be getting a new pair of power folding side mirrors and a speed-sensing automatic lock feature. The latter is programmed to lock the vehicle's doors upon reaching speeds of 15kph--useful if you're the forgetful type. The base 1.8 E CVT Civic received both features last month. Of course, with the new features come new price tags. Below are the updated prices of the Civic RS Turbo: * Honda Civic RS Turbo – P1.413 million * Honda Civic RS Turbo Modulo – P1.460 million * Honda Civic RS Turbo Modulo Sport – P1.525 million There will be no performance improvements, as the RS Turbo will still run on the same VTEC turbo engine. Honda says the minor changes will not only provide additional convenience, but an improved ownership experience as a whole as well. The updated sedan is readily available at all Honda dealerships nationwide. Will you be checking one out? Considering the price increase isn't too substantial, we think you should. If former Nissan Philippines president Toti Zara were here (he’s now assigned to Nissan’s Indonesian operations), I imagine he would say, “let the van wars begin!” Thus is his confidence in the Japanese brand’s current lineup.
This is the vibe I felt at the simple and classy launch of Nissan’s latest product: the Nissan Urvan Premium. The new van is a bigger and slightly classier version of Nissan’s popular people hauler. I said ‘slightly’ intentionally, because by omitting unnecessary frills and focusing on what passengers want the most, namely space and comfort, Nissan PH was able to offer the Urvan Premium at an attainable price. For P1,650,000 you get 15 seats covered in smooth suede-like fabric material. The headliner fabric also comes in a suede-finished material that’s colored gray. I sat inside and I can confidently say that it’s easy to enter, thanks to a wide entrance by the lone right sliding door, and easy to move around in. Like in the similarly sized Toyota Hiace Super Grandia LXV, petite women will have no problem standing inside. There’s also generous space underneath the seats for storing overnight bags and other travel gear. For those who will pack this Urvan full of people, rest well knowing that there are 14 A/C vents to cool your passengers. No more fighting for the vents while stuck in summer traffic. Another neat trick I saw was the Door Closure Assist feature. Just nudging the sliding door until it makes minimal contact with the door frame will automatically close it shut. This eliminates the need to slam it. Under the front seats is a 2.5-liter turbodiesel, the same lump in the Navara, that generates 356Nm. A manual transmission transfers that torque to the wheels, but Nissan Philippines says an automatic is coming. Obviously, the Urvan Premium will compete with the other oversized Japanese transport in the market, the Hiace Super Grandia LXV. The latter has 10 seats, is about the same size, and has four captain’s chairs (hence the lower seat number). But the LXV has a harsh ride and it costs P800,000+ more. What the Nissan will likely compete with is the regular Super Grandia, which costs P460,000 more and is very comfortable. And its ‘smaller’ size makes it easier for Mang Jimmy to maneuver. To find out which is better, we’ll have to see how it feels and rides when we borrow the Premium Urvan for a test drive. This new model will certainly help Nissan’s growing bottom line. It sold 5,277 units during the first quarter of 2017, its highest sales performance since the year 2000. According to Nissan Philippines president and managing director Ramesh Narasimhan: “The past year has truly been phenomenal for the brand. We have been able to continue this performance by beating our own sales record in March, by selling 2,094 units. The NV350 Urvan sold a total of 1,651 units, accounting for 31% of our sales for the first quarter.” Let’s face it: These days true luxury is space and air-conditioning; the ability to be cool while stretching your legs while being transported. And the Nissan Urvan Premium seems especially suited for that task. The Manila International Auto Show might be over for the year, but the new cars just keep on coming. Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) has just revealed the face-lifted ASX for 2017.
The sporty crossover now looks even more athletic, thanks to a redesigned front fascia based on the Japanese carmaker's signature Dynamic Shield Concept. Also new are the two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, an inch bigger from before, paired to new wheel arc mouldings. Up top is a new fin-type antenna. The top-of-the-line GSR variant gets a panoramic glass roof with LED illumination and HID headlamps. Mounted on the all-black dashboard is a touchscreen display that's slightly bigger at 6.75in. Both variants come with magnesium alloy paddle shifters. The GLS has black high-grade fabric seats while the GSR gets black leather, and both come with red stitching. The GSR variant also gets flashy aluminum pedals for that street-racer vibe. Under the hood is the same zippy 2.0-liter MIVEC engine (148hp and 197 Nm) from the pre-facelift version, mated to a six-speed CVT. The color options are: Sapporo Silver, Sonic Blue, Amazon Red, Virgil Gray, Biscuit White, and Carbon Black. Prices for the new ASX stand at P1.195 million for the GLS variant and P1.295 million for the GSR. Judging by the official photo from MMPC, the new version of its underrated crossover is quite the looker. Anyone reserving a unit? Hyundai Asia Resources does not want to get left behind in the subcompact crossover competition. Today, the official distributor of the Korean brand has taken the wraps off the Creta at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show. Gasoline and diesel engine options, and three variants are available. Their prices? * 1.6 GL MT (gasoline) - P918,000 * 1.6 GL AT (gasoline) - P988,000 * 1.6 CRDi GL MT (diesel) - P1,038,000 Under the hood of the gasoline-engine offerings is the 1.6-liter Gamma MPI mill capable of 121hp and 151Nm. It could either be mated to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The diesel variant has a 126hp, 260Nm 1.6-liter U2 CRDi engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. In this category, it's quite rare to have a diesel variant. Although the lack of an automatic transmision for the oil burner might make it tough to sell. Hyundai’s design language is apparent in the Creta with its three-slat hexagonal grille. The hood lines and sloping roof lend a feel of less air resistance. Shod with 16-inch alloy wheels, the Korean crossover has a 190mm ground clearance (10mm less than the Ford EcoSport’s ride height). It’s longer, wider and taller than the Nissan Juke with its 4,270mm x 1,780mm x 1,630mm dimensions. Inside, fabric seats await passengers. Its 2,590mm wheelbase, which is longer than its Japanese and American rivals, promises more legroom. Displayed at the motor show with a bicycle rack and a pair of bikes, the Creta is packaged as an enticing offering for the outdoorsy motorist. Hyundai dealerships are now accepting reservations. Are you placing one? IMAGE Mark Jesalva
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