2018 is going to be an important year for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation. Next year it will launch the Xpander MPV in our market, a seven-seater model introduced in Indonesia this year. Mitsubishi says it’s not a replacement for the outgoing Adventure, but that’s sort of the void the Xpander will be filling. Is the Xpander any good? Based on our first drive in the Japanese carmaker’s Okazaki compound, oh yes. From the moment I sat inside, I already noticed the very good driving position. My knee rested snugly against the center console, something I like to do to brace myself for long drives. It made operating the three pedals and shift knob an easy process despite the right-hand-drive configuration. Yes, this being Japan I was on the opposite side of the cockpit. This made me a little apprehensive because I haven’t driven a manual RHD car in 10 years. But the Xpander’s clutch was so forgiving and responsive at the same time. It was easy to find the biting point of the clutch, and the leather-wrapped ball-shaped shift knob was a joy to grip. That driving exercise is one example of why we like Mitsubishi so much. It didn’t treat us with kid gloves and set up a sissy driving course. We did slaloms, lane changes, and high-speed runs on a banked oval. You would think this kind of setup would reveal the flaws of a tall vehicle like the Xpander. Instead, the driving course highlighted what this new model can do. Body roll was there but kept to a minimum on the slalom. I was still getting a feel for the car in the beginning, but there was a very short learning curve. In second gear, it was easy to weave in and out of cones. Same thing with the lane changes. The stability of the Xpander is commendable. On the high-speed runs I had to ask my Japanese companion if there was a turbo in front, but it’s only a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine. I was surprised at how quickly I was able to reach 120kph—even touching 140kph at times. Again, the Xpander felt stable and planted. And that transmission! Shifting was such fun. The Xpander is one of those vehicles you look forward to driving because you feel so involved. As an MPV I have no complaints about the cabin. Mitsubishi reps say size-wise it’s the biggest in its class—but this is in the subcompact MPV segment where the Toyota Avanza dwells. So it’s bigger than Toyota’s small MPV, but smaller than the Innova. I peeked at the third row and it looked rather small, but that’s par for the course in this category. Adults not my size should fit and be fine for short drives. We only had a brief time with the new Xpander, but it was a drive full of promise. This model is slated to arrive in our market in the first quarter of 2018. Based on what we’ve experienced, Mitsubishi looks like it has another winner in its hands. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESLooking for a new family hauler for your next Christmas get-together and—before you know it—summer road trips? You may want to wait a little and check out the updated NV350 Urvan base and Premium variants, both of which are coming next month. Nissan Philippines president and managing director Ramesh Narasimhanrevealed this news during a recent intimate media luncheon. He also said that there will be a price increase for these new variants. However, along with the price bump come a handful of updates. To be equipped with a Euro 4-compliant engine, these vans will come with ABS, power windows and other niceties. As you may have noticed with the photo, the exterior has been touched-up as well. Introduced in our market two years ago, this people mover by Nissan touts a superb airconditioning system, like most of the Japanese brand's lineup. We recently reviewed the outgoing Urvan Premium, and we were pleased with its ride comfort, handling and extra features. As for the engine? The 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine tackled Tagaytay's hills without a sweat during one of the media drives, too. This workhorse was an enticing option with a reasonable price. As for the new variants? Well, stay tuned for the updated Urvan's pricing details and new features. We'll put it through its paces soonest, too. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESWe already know the new Mitsubishi Evo (of sorts) is an electric SUV. And now we have an idea of what the e-Evolution will look like. Yep, Mitsubishi has confirmed the name of one of the finest rally reps ever is going to be stuck on the back of a plug-in crossover. The good news is that it sounds a fair bit more advanced than an Outlander PHEV, and it looks a bit more interesting too. It’s a full EV—not a hybrid—with three motors driving all four wheels. One is on the front axle, with two at the rear, and those are operated via a yaw control system. Which proves there’s some credence to the use of the Evo name. But the big story concerns the e-Evo’s artificial intelligence (AI). “An array of sensors allows the AI system to instantly read changes in road and traffic conditions, as well as the driver’s intent,” says Mitsubishi. “Seamlessly coordinating driver intent with vehicle performance, the system supports drivers of all abilities and by making it easier and safer to control the vehicle, thereby bringing the motoring experience to a new level.” If we’re understanding that correctly, Mitsubishi hopes to mimic all the clever diffs and systems of Lancer Evos old via a mix of AI witchcraft and something resembling the license modes of Gran Turismo. Perhaps it’ll project cornering lines onto the road ahead… “After building a picture of the driver’s skill level, the system constructs a training program that provides advice through voice dialogue and a large dashboard display,” the e-Evo’s press material continues. “As a result, drivers of all abilities quickly experience a vehicle that behaves the way they want it and soon they find themselves enjoying the driving experience to an even greater degree.” Yikes. We thought AI was just about cars developing a ‘brain’ that learns how cold you like the A/C. Mitsubishi sees it as a more intelligent stability control system that administers driving advice. Whether it’s a safety-conscious nanny or a Ken Block-like fellow trapped in the dashboard, we don’t yet know. Perhaps inevitably, it’s just a concept, too. We’ll see it at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple of weeks, when we’ll have a better idea of when the car—and its intriguing tech—will arrive. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESThe Toyota FJ Cruiser is dead. Long live the Toyota TJ Cruiser. This utterly delightful concept will appear at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple of weeks, and it apparently launches a whole new sub-genre. Yep, it’s “the birth of a new van and SUV fusion genre.” It looks to us more like a chunky remake of the people carrier to us, though there are only four seats. Either way, it’s a slab of utilitarian cool, at least to our eyes. Correct us via the comments box below. If you’re curious, TJ stands for ‘Toolbox Joy’. We’re not making that up. The seats fold in all sorts of ways, and the passenger seat can fold completely flat, basically forming a bed. The TJ can swallow entire surfboards and bikes, while there are all manner of hooks and storage boxes. That’s despite it being no longer or wider than a Ford Focus. Power comes from a 2.0-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor and an automatic gearbox, and there’s a choice of front- or four-wheel drive. Only there isn’t, as it’s just a concept for now. But Toyota’s tone of voice suggests it isn’t something that’ll be scurried away into a collection once the show finishes, and the interior looks a handful of buttons away from being production-ready. If you’re not a fan, then don’t worry. Toyota’s having quite a busy Tokyo show and, among other things, it will also show us the Batmobile-like GR HV Sports concept and the new Century limo. Something for everyone, then. But only one car if you really like toolboxes. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINESIt's been a while since we've seen anything new regarding the PH-spec Hyundai Accent. The subcompact, a staple on city roads here, received a slight upgrade back in 2014. Since then, Japanese competitors like the Toyota Vios, Mazda 2, and Honda City have upped their games, while the market waited patiently for more from one of the Korean carmaker's most prominent models. Earlier this year, the all-new Accent broke cover at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The fifth-gen vehicle was bigger, much more stylish, and more capable than its predecessor on paper. No word on a hatchback version or diesel engine, but it was already enough to have us wanting more. Thankfully, the company released more images of the sedan together with its US debut at the Orange County International Auto Show. It's a better look at Hyundai's new 'cascading' grille design and the Accent's sleeker, more sculpted exterior look. We've already talked about the changes to the car's structure and performance here. We finally get a real glimpse at what's inside as well—soft touch materials, a familiar Hyundai dash with angular vents and components, a new instrument panel with a TFT LCD display, plenty of tactile controls and physical dials, a neat leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay capability. We're really digging the door trim, too. As far as subcompacts go, the all-new Accent is looking pretty premium. Hopefully we get the same when it arrives here in the Philippines. You can check out more photos of the vehicle right below. ARTICLE BY TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES |
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