BANGKOK, THAILAND—Sport Utility Vehicles are seen as lumbering giants—too big, too thirsty, and too cumbersome for daily use. Nonetheless, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the growing popularity of this segment. Ford, through its decade-defining One Ford Plan, aims to address the need for a more urbran-centric SUV; one that’s designed to ultimately tackle the hardest challenge of all: daily life. Meet the all-new Ford EcoSport.

UPDATE: We have now included more launch pictures of the Ford EcoSport after the break.

Subaru has finally taken the wraps off the WRX Concept--a design study that serves as the clearest indication of what the production WRX would look like come late this year. Subaru has purposely given sparse mechanical specifications of the WRX Concept as it serves mainly to give "hints" to the design language of the production WRX.

There are two kinds of people in this world.

There are people who drink coffee. Then there are people who think 3-in-1 tastes like piss and have to order monkey-picked beans and roast them in their very own coffee laboratory.

There are people who check their email, surf the web and occasionally press the ‘like’ button on Facebook. Then there are people who build their PCs piece by literal piece with only the finest components available. And they do it every year.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

BANGKOK, THAILAND—The presence of Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company’s rock star President and CEO at the Bangkok International Motor Show served as the perfect indicator that big news awaited the guests gathered at the Ford pavilion. After unveiling the much-awaited segment-busting urban SUV, the EcoSport a day earlier, what larger headline could possibly trump that? After taking the stage, Mr. Mulally quickly mentioned how the ASEAN market is Ford Motor Company’s most important and fastest growing market—growing at a staggering rate of 27 percent year-on-year (to the tune of 87,623 units). He also stressed that a good chunk of buyers in this market would opt for a small car by the year 2020. Then, he dropped a bomb shell: EcoBoost is finally arriving in the ASEAN underneath the refreshed Ford Fiesta.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Budget-friendly motorists, as well as taxi and fleet companies, will certainly look more stylish as Toyota has given its Vios sub-compact car a global reveal at the Bangkok International Motor Show. The all-new Vios features a head-turning look inspired by the recently launched RAV4 and to some degree, the 86 sportscar.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Honda is aiming once again to lure luxury buyers back into their fold with the official unveil of the all-new Accord at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Based off the US-market Accord, the ASEAN version features some detail changes to give the Accord a more luxurious twist compared to its American stablemate.

Photo by Ulysses Ang

Lexus's highlight at the Bangkok International Motor Show is the all-new IS 300h, showcased in a stunning red color perched in their booth's main stage. This officially marks as the official ASEAN reveal of the new rear-wheel drive sports sedan. Clad in the brand's F Sport package, the swoopy design features the rather controversial "Nike" headlights. Whatever you make of it though, it's deemed as the "boldest design" for Lexus yet. The all-new IS 300h uses a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine mated to Lexus's Hybrid Drive powertrain as well as a CVT transmission.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Confession time: despite being in the motoring beat for over a decade now, this is the first time I’ve ever driven a Kia extensively. Of course, it happened that it’s the Rio 1.2 SLX that arrived—the P 625,000 budget-friendly, fleet-inclined vehicle that’s normally not on most reviewers’ wish list. Despite its daunting task of having to convince me of the brand’s merits (they could have sent a Sportage or Optima, after all), it succeeded. The Kia Rio 1.2 SLX turned out to be a great, spunky automobile—a testament on how Kia can design and engineer great small cars; proof that fun doesn’t necessarily start at a million pesos.

Anyone handling a four-wheeled vehicle cannot afford to go places without a travel buddy. Whether it’s a short journey or a long distance trip, a travel buddy will always help you keep your concentration on what’s ahead, remind you of the rules of the road, and help you keep your vehicle travel-worthy.

It is in this spirit that Petron proudly unveils this year’s Petron Lakbay Alalay program. Well-loved as the longest running motorist assistance program in the country, Petron Lakbay Alalay, now on its 27th year, doesn’t just involve itself with helping stranded motorists during long calendar breaks (such as the Holy Week stretch and All Souls’ Day/All Saints Day). Petron Lakbay Alalay now is a series of activities spread year-round to help the motorists and communities.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) under its corporate social responsibility education and safety advocacies - the 1’M Blue Eco-Safe Driving Campaign, recently tied-up with the Department of Energy and the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center (UP NEC) in conducting seminars on fuel efficiency for road transport in 10 key cities in the Philippines from January to May 2013.

The seminar shares the Government’s energy efficiency program, the rationale of eco-safe driving, then moves on with practical tips on driving practices that save fuel and proper vehicle maintenance. There are 20 half-day sessions set for public utility drivers and operators from 5 cities in Luzon (Laoag, Legaspi, Baguio, Pampanga and Metro Manila); 3 in Visayas (Cebu, Iloilo and Tacloban); and 2 in Mindanao (Davao and Cagayan de Oro.)

Allow Casey Hyun to inspire your imagination at the upcoming ICON (Innovation Congress), the 3rd Thought Leadership Forum of the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

As head of Hyundai’s design team, Mr. Hyun is credited for leading the team that developed, refined, and implemented the Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, the concept that has given Hyundai an identity that sets it apart even at a glance.

Summer is here!  It’s time for long trips, beach vacations and out-of-town fun!  But before
heading out, make sure that you have a healthy car for your safe and worry-free travels!
Schedule an appointment for Hyundai’s CAMP—Check-up And Maintenance Promo, and choose
from our Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) packages:

• PMS Package 1: HGMO Mineral Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 2: HGMO Semi-synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor
• PMS Package 3: HGMO Fully Synthetic Oil with 25% discount on labor, 10% discount on parts and engine oil and FREE Hyundai backpack or foldable fan  

Plus, for every PMS package, you also get a FREE 23-PT check-up for your car.  So call your
authorized participating dealership today and ask about Hyundai’s CAMP, to jumpstart your
summer!

Hyundai’s CAMP is until March 27, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No.
1472 Series of 2013.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Bali, Indonesia—Coming up to a blind corner, our car looked like it would barely fit into the right-hander when a motorcycle suddenly cut in. The brakes were applied and we came to a screeching halt. Driving in Bali required a lot of confidence and concentration given the tight streets and bustling roads. Everywhere you looked, there were souvenir shops, lost-in-the-moment tourists, sidewalk cafes, and parked buses—the sort of organized chaos pretty much prevalent all over South East Asia. Thankfully though, that day in Bali, we were behind the wheel of a Subaru XV, a car so well packaged that it’s seemingly designed to tackle the challenge of everyday life with poise and composure.

To this day, a lot of people don’t like the new Nissan GT-R. They respect the car’s performance, but they largely ignore it because aside from the aspect of technical mastery, it pretty much threw out everything that the Skyline GT-R heritage stood for.

No longer did it have a bullet-proof, silky smooth turbo-charged inline-6. No longer was it a quirky box with a wing. No longer was it a car that could trace it roots to a staid family sedan. No longer was it the tunable, every-man Godzilla on wheels that prior GT-Rs had been.

Summer of 2013 just got hotter with chicks, kicks and cars! A much-anticipated collaboration between Sole Slam and Autobot Autoworks dubbed as WHEN TWO WORLDS COLLIDE: Sole Slam Manila X Automax Carshow 2013 on April 13 and 14 at One Esplanade, SM Mall of Asia Complex where we will bring the finest sneakers and the top street cars of today. This year we will sponsor three top local DJs and include a live concert from the nation’s top hiphop, RnB and dance artists. This event will also feature special appearances from hot Filipina celebrities and personalities and top tattoo artists, Russian pole dancers and anti gravity yoga performances. Expect an unforgettable and most talked about event that will leave everyone in awe, excitement and anticipation.

You can shine brighter, just in time for the summer!  Buy a brand-new Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai Accent Sedan with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS—Discounts, Easy And Light Schemes!

Brilliant discounts and financing terms await you.  For cash buyers, as much as P25,000 cash discount.  Pay as low as P78,000 down payment, or low monthly amortization of P7,023 with all-in packages thrown in, inclusive of 1-year comprehensive insurance, 3-year LTO registration, Chattel mortgage fee, free tint, matting, and more!  You can get savings of as much as P99,000!

So why wait, when you can have your very own Hyundai Elantra or Accent sedan right now?  Give it a go with Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS.  Rush over to your nearest authorized Hyundai dealer today!

Cars included in Hyundai’s Brilliant DEALS promo are: Elantra sedan variants (1.6 GL A/T, 1.6 GL M/T, and 1.8 GLS A/T) and Accent sedan variants (1.4 GL M/T and 1.4 GL A/T).  All deals are subject to bank approval.  Promo is until March 31, 2013.  See flyers for more details.  Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1964 Series of 2013.

For three straight years, BPI Family Auto Loan once again presents the 2013 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) to be held at the World Trade Center on April 4 to 7, 2013. Themed, Innovation and Technology, BPI Family Auto is offering on-site and on-line loan processing with special deals on car purchases.

Now on its 9th year, the MIAS remains to be the Philippines’ biggest motoring event of the year. Welcoming more than 88,000 visitors last year, the 2013 MIAS expects 100, 000 spectators and car enthusiasts to visit this year as it features more than 300 cars on display including numerous launches of the newest and hottest cars in the Philippine market today.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is running the Honda Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) program to provide motorists travelling during the holy week an on-site travel aid, service and support in different destination on March 27 to 31, 2013.

Fast Company’s annual Most Innovative Companies issue honors leading businesses, including Apple, Amazon, Google and Target along with such rising newcomers as Square, Fab and Tumblr. Ford Motor Company is the only full-line automaker named to the 2013 list. Nike ranks No. 1 following the release of two major innovations, FuelBand and Flyknit technology.

Ms. Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President and CEO of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), official distributor of Hyundai cars in the Philippines, was cited among the 2013 Women Icons of Entrepreneurship at the Fifth Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit 2013 of Go Negosyo. The award was presented to her by Mr. Joey Concepcion, Founding Trustee of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.—Go Negosyo (L), Summit Keynote Speaker Hon. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Mr. Ramon Lopez, Executive Director of Go Negosyo.

The Fifth Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit, which recognizes the Filipina as a catalyst of change and progress, was held to coincide with the international celebration of Women’s Month. Go Negosyo is on its eighth year of dedicated work to empower Filipinos to be enterprising and entrepreneurial.

Subaru has confirmed that it will be showing a brand-new XV Hybrid at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. Though there are no details yet, Subaru has revealed that the XV Hybrid will use an in-house developed hybrid system paired with the company's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

In addition to the XV Hybrid, Subaru is also showing off a new performance concept. This is perhaps a good look at the upcoming WRX.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Road trips, especially long ones have to be planned meticulously in advanced. You have to take note not just of necessities such as food and accommodations but also of the route and weather. Traveling up to Sagada is often seen as an arduous challenge given the tight, twisty mountain roads as well as the lack of necessary infrastructure such as gasoline or service stations. It looked like something close to impossible: the perfect backdrop then to officially welcome the all-new Subaru Forester.

Lamborghini Manila recently presented the final edition of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 in an exclusive preview at its stylish showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

The new Gallardo was unveiled by no other than Lamborghini Manila President Roberto Coyiuto III and the newly appointed Italian Ambassador Massimo Roscigno.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc recently broke ground in Naga City, Camarines Sur to mark its official entry in the Bicol region. Owned by Mr. Jeremie Lo, the dealership is soon to rise along San Jose, National Highway, Pili, Camarines Sur, with operations to start by the second half of 2013.

With this partnership, Honda is pleased to be able to offer easier access to the full model line-up of products, competent service technicians, well-trained sales associates and accommodating customer relations officers present in all other Honda dealerships to the Bicolanos.

Ground breaking of the future site was done last March 12, 2013. The ceremony was attended by Honda Cars Philippines, Incorporated (HCPI) President and General Manager Tatsuya Natsume, Marketing and Sales General Manager Roberto “Bobby” Ong, Customer Service Division Head Norman Millare and other HCPI executives, and owner, Jeremie Lo. Also gracing the event was Pili, Camarines Sur Mayor Tomas Bongalonta.

Organizers of the country’s longest running international junior tennis tournament, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC), International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) are expecting an even more exciting Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championship (MLIJTC) as the biggest juniors’ tournament in Asia opens on March 19, 2013.

The 2013 Volvo XC60 earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) new small overlap frontal crash test, currently making it the first and only midsize luxury SUV to achieve such results.

Thanks to its top marks in the latest test, Volvo is now the only luxury manufacturer with two TOP SAFETY PICK+ vehicles. The 2013 Volvo S60 sports sedan received the Institute's highest safety honor in an earlier test.

As an avid watcher of cable television show, Air Crash Investigation, I find it hard to believe that majority of crashes that happened, happened because of simple human error—specifically, a conflict between man and a piece of technology (that was supposed to keep him safe) which he didn’t understand. Indeed, the aviation industry has continuously learned from these mistakes and has repeatedly amended pilot training and plane technology to take into account the somewhat faulty “human logic”. More than that, there’s a serious lesson to be learned for the automakers as well, especially those who hope to make cars safer by taking the controls away from the driver: don’t do it.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Mitsubishi Lancer has one of the greatest cult followings in the Philippines, not just in the compact car segment, but in the entire automotive industry. It’s always been considered as an aspirational car, especially for the salary man who could actually afford one, if he could set aside a couple of thousand pesos as part of a “Lancer Fund”. Because of this, it has enjoyed tremendous success and is endeared with nicknames such as “Box Type”, “Itlog”, “Pizza Pie”, and so on.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Each time the Subaru XV arrives at the office to spend time with us; it seems to have a very busy schedule. The first time Subaru’s compact crossover arrived here, we pitted it against the similarly-sized Mitsubishi ASX (full test here) and it came out on top. Next, it was compared to its more luxurious sibling, the Subaru Impreza (story here).

However, in both those cases we were handed the keys to the 2.0i, the base model that’s all well and good but not truly representative of the entire XV line. Instead, that distinction goes to the 2.0i Premium, which is the better selling XV. Yes, it’s slightly more expensive but it also comes better loaded with features. Is the additional price tag worth it or are Subaru buyers getting it wrong? Let’s find out.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) recently hosted its Annual Dealer Conference and Gala Awards at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu last February 22, 2013 to recognize the remarkable performance of its dealer network. The event was held to honor individual achievers and top-performing dealers in the areas of Sales, After Sales and Customer Satisfaction and Overall Dealer Operations. Moreover, TMP was also awarded by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP) and Mitsui & Co., for its achievements from the previous year. One of which is attaining its 11th consecutive Triple Crown Title.

Building on the technology from its successful and award winning tire for luxury passenger cars, the Eagle EfficientGrip SUV, Goodyear has broken new ground again with the introduction of Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV – Goodyear’s quietest SUV tire ever.

Strong and robust, Goodyear Efficient Grip SUV is engineered with QuietTred Technology to give an exceptionally quiet ride without compromising grip and handle capabilities.

Summer is just around the corner and what better way to prepare for your long road trip than to have your Toyota checked by Toyota-certified technicians for free!  Simply visit any of Toyota’s dealerships from now to March 23 to avail of the Free 20-point vehicle safety inspection.

Furthermore, for your peace-of-mind, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation will once again launch the Toyota Motorists Assistance this coming Holy Week – a service tradition for the past 22 years.  From Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, service teams will be deployed in eight major destinations across Luzon to assist the motoring public in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Rosario, La Union; Baguio City, Benguet; Urdaneta, Pangasinan; Tagaytay City; Calamba, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; and Sipocot, Camarines Sur. The service teams will provide free roadside assistance and repairs to all vehicles with emergency concerns, regardless of makes and models.

L-R: Mr. Teodoro Limcaoco, BPI Family Savings Bank President, Mr. David Sarmiento, Jr., Senior Vice-President of Auto Loans Head, and Mr. Ramon Altamirano, Loans Product Marketing Head officially opens the BPI Family Online Auto Madness

Ford Philippines today announced it will expand the lineup for its class-defining all-new Ford Ranger at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show with the official launch of the range-topping Wildtrak variants.

The all-new Ranger Wildtrak will be available in three variants - the Duratorq TDCi 2.2L VG Turbo 4x4 in both manual and automatic transmission, and the top-of-the-line Duratorq TDCi 3.2L VG Turbo 4x4 in automatic transmission.

The addition of the Wildtrak will expand the all-new Ford Ranger lineup in the Philippines to six highly-competitive models featuring an unmatched combination of power and safety, fuel efficiency, comfort and capability in its segment.

Technology, along with laziness is killing the oil dipstick. Is this important? Should we care? Will we miss it when it’s gone? The answer to all three is an emphatic yes.

Consider the lowly dipstick: it lives in a dark, hot cave known as the engine bay. It gets covered by liquefied and processed dinosaur remains and nasty, carbon sludge on a regular basis. Once every few thousand kilometers, it gets forcibly yanked out of its home, wiped down, shoved back into its house, and then yanked out again. Its world is build of inconsistency, shock, and extreme conditions.

The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 - shown to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show - can be fitted with an innovation that makes driving in the dark safer and more comfortable. The renewed Active High Beam Control makes it possible to use high beam continuously thanks to an ingenious mechanism that prevents dazzling of oncoming drivers. At a press conference in Geneva, Volvo Car Group will also present a new world-first collision-avoidance technology.

Driving at night presents car drivers all over the world with challenging conditions. "Our aim with the renewed Active High Beam Control technology is to enhance visibility in the dark by making it possible to use high beam permanently, without having to switch to low beam when meeting or catching up with other cars," says Prof. Lotta Jakobsson, Senior Technical Specialist Safety at Volvo Cars Safety Center.

Ford Philippines today reported its best-ever February performance with overall retail sales jumping 108 percent year-over-year to 865 units. Continuing the company’s best start to any year, and building on the momentum from its best-ever January, the exceptional month was driven by strong sales of vehicles across the Ford lineup.

“We’re off to a very strong start to the year, as customers continue to respond positively to our full lineup of Ford vehicles,” said Randy Krieger, president, Ford Philippines.

Following its commitment to bring products and services closer to its customers, Honda is set to open a new dealership in Tacloban City, Leyte, with operations targeted to start by the second half of 2013. Said dealership is owned by the Mercado Group of Companies and will offer the full line-up of Honda products and services to customers in the Eastern Visayas region. The Tacloban dealership will be the 5th authorized Honda dealer in the Visayas.

Lexus ranked highest in vehicle dependability among all nameplates for a second consecutive year in the 2013 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). The study tracks the number and type of problems owners have with their three-year-old vehicles. In the study, Lexus RX had the fewest reported problems in the industry, which is the first time in the history of VDS that a crossover or SUV has achieved this accolade.

In the year of its 50th anniversary Automobili Lamborghini presented an extremely exclusive model at the Geneva Motor Show 2013. Only three unique units of the Lamborghini Veneno will be built and sold. Its design is consistently focused on optimum aerodynamics and cornering stability, giving the Veneno the real dynamic experience of a racing prototype, yet it is fully homologated for the road. With a maximum output of 552 kW / 750 hp, the Veneno accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and the top speed for this street-legal racing car stands at 355 km/h. It is priced at three million Euros plus tax – and all three units have already been sold to customers.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Normally, driving a hybrid vehicle is seen as a compromise. Although it does deliver impressive fuel economy numbers, it does so at the expense of a lackluster driving experience. And true enough; with everything connected to circuit boards as opposed to mechanical linkages, piloting a hybrid car is like driving a real-world arcade machine. Thankfully, Honda has taken a different spin on its hybrid vehicles. Honda may not have been the first to market a hybrid, but it does something its pioneering rival can’t: appeal to enthusiasts.

Bali, Indonesia—Motor Image Pilipinas has just announced the pricing of the all-new Subaru Forester for the Philippine market. It will arrive in two variants: 2.0 i-L and 2.0 XT. The entry-level model will be priced at P 1.398M and the turbo variant will be pegged at P 1.868M. It will be launched at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show running from April 4-7. Meanwhile, the XV will slash its pricing to P 1.298M for the 2.0i. The 2.0 i-Premium will still be at P 1.478M but will have leather seats as standard equipment. More details soon.

Modern car bumpers are, in the majority of cases, beautiful but utterly useless. They just don’t work. From experience, it often takes huge amounts of money to repair damage from fairly minor accidents—sometimes requiring a replacement—from a relatively minor shunt. And that’s the fundamental problem: modern car bumpers are designed to break.

But before heading there, it’s a good idea to qualify first on how bumpers should work. Basically, a car bumper should be that part of a car that satisfies a simple criterion: it should be able to take some, without you giving any. The ideal car bumper should allow you to crash into another car or object, stationary or moving, at speeds below 8 km/h with zero visible damage. A good bumper design should provide the driver with a sort of buffer zone where small errors in judgment can be absorbed and forgotten. Of course, the modern bumper fails at doing this. However, there was a time when bumpers were able to achieve this ideal, but sacrifices had to be made in one area: aesthetics.