August 2015 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

August 31, 2015

Six Awesome New Features of the 2016 Ford Focus

UPDATE 1: Read our First Drive here (9/4).

Ford just let us drive the new 2016 Focus over 260 kilometers here in Adelaide, Southern Australia. We’ll have our full impressions soon, but for now, let us offer a sneak peek of what to expect. The current Focus has always been a technology leader for Ford and it has debuted a lot of cutting-edge tech for the compact car class. This one brings that to the next level.

Four Characteristics of Mazda's Jinba-Ittai

Mazda has frequently used the word Jinba-Ittai to describe the driving feel of their cars. Although everyone knows this by now as the Japanese word for “Horse and Rider as One”, what does this actually mean? Mazda engineers have actually narrowed it down to specific characteristics found in all of their cars.

Mazda's Quest for Manufacturing Innovation Through Monotsukuri

Photos by Ulysses Ang

A lot of news about Mazda centers around keywords such as KODO, Skyactiv, and Jinba-Ittai. And though these words revolve around engineering innovation, there’s also one keyword that has helped transform the business of Mazda: Monotsukuri.

BMW Celebrates 40 Years of 3 Series with Anniversary Edition

The BMW 3 Series can look back over an extraordinary career path. Among the key milestones along the way have been its success in pioneering a new vehicle category, establishing itself as the embodiment of the distinct BMW drive in its segment, and becoming the world’s top-selling premium car.

Of KODO and Takumi: Mazda's Design Secrets Revealed

Mazda vehicles of late are recognized for their stunning design, scooping up numerous international awards in the process. Everyone now knows KODO – Soul of Motion design language, but how does the company actually come out with their designs? The process may surprise you.

Review: 2015 Honda Mobilio 1.5 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang

It’s not every day you get excited about driving the latest MPV. After all, it removes the illusion that motoring scribes only drive the most awesome cars (and some are actually picky in that regard). Now, you do have to give exception to the Mobilio for one simple reason: it’s a Honda. At least, you know it should be a decent drive. Plus, since it performed impeccably well during the Puerto Galera drive, it should do well on a regular drive. So after a week of putting it through its paces, can it be definitely concluded that the Mobilio’s a good car? Well, yes! It’s especially true if you can’t practice family planning.

Philippine Car Price Guide: August 2015

The August Edition of CarGuide.PH’s Philippine Car Price Guide is now out and in this update we have the following changes and/or updates:

Chevrolet Captiva (price increase)
Chevrolet Colorado Tracker / Tracker Pro
Chrysler 300C
Ford EcoSport Trend Urban Pack
Ford Ranger
Honda City VX Navi Modulo
Honda City VX Navi MUGEN
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 S VGT AWD
Lexus ES 350
Mazda2 Speed
Mitsubishi Adventure (price increase)
Mitsubishi Montero Sport GTV 4WD SE (price increase)
Peugeot 2008
Suzuki Celerio
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6 V (price decrease)
Toyota Hilux
Toyota Innova (price increase)
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (price increase)
Toyota Wigo (price increase)

Subaru, through distributor Motor Image Pilipinas and its authorized dealers in Cebu and Davao, successfully ended the provincial legs of the annual Subaru Palm Challenge 2015. The provincial legs, which were held last August 8 in Ayala Center, Cebu and August 15 at SM Lanang Premier in Davao, saw over 300 registrants per leg. Eventually, this was shortlisted to 120 Cebuanos and 120 Davaoenos for the Cebu and Davao legs repectively.

The future looks positive for Volvo as the brand posted a 4.6 percent increase in retail sales for the month of July as it sold 38,128 cars globally. Europe, as well as the US, were key drivers of growth. Both regions reported significant increases on sales of the all-new XC90 (where it has achieved its annual target in the US with a quarter to spare) and continued demand for the 60-series car lines.

So what do you get when you mix two of the hottest segments in the ASEAN car market? The Honda BR-V. Shown in prototype form at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2015, the BR-V combines the Mobilio’s 7-seater capability (and basic body shape) with a raised ground clearance.

Complementing an impressive Q1 2015 sales performance, Suzuki Philippines maintained its momentum in Q2 to post a 65 percent year-to-date sales increase over last year’s first-half figures. This is the highest growth increment so far this year for the company, whose June sales tally is also the highest selling month in the first half of 2015.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) starts the second half of 2015 strong, attaining exceptional sales and outstanding after-sales service performance.

Ford Philippines celebrated the re-opening of Ford EDSA – the first authorized Ford dealership that opened in the country two decades ago.

First Drive: 2016 Ford Ranger 2.2 Wildtrak

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The local pickup truck segment feels like something straight out of the reality show, Survivor. With the level of cut throat competitiveness going around, only the strongest will outwit, outlast, and outplay everyone else emerging as the ultimate king of the hill. Ford has certainly been playing that game right so far and it shows: the Ranger continues to be the country’s best-selling pickup truck. That streak is bound to continue with the heavily refreshed 2016 Ranger.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The urban crossover genre, it seems is the next big thing. Judging by how many carmakers want to get into the act, it’s the newest fashion must-have. A stroll through the Ateneo de Manila campus reveals the unshakable truth: compact sedans and sub-compact hatchbacks are so baduy. They’re probably your dad’s or older sibling’s choice. Today it’s all about crossovers because parking on unpaved lots is so hassle and going through floods during rainy season is so nakaka-burat. And so, Honda’s done the right thing and dived straight into the deep end with the HR-V.

UPDATED: Ford Philippines Debuts New 2016 Ranger (w/ Specs)

UPDATE 2: Read our First Drive of the Ford Ranger 2.2 Wildtrak here (8/19).

UPDATE 1: We now have a copy of the spec sheet below (8/18).

Ford Philippines officially debut the new 2016 Ranger with an epic 175-kilometer ride-and-drive activity through various terrain settings in Bicol. We’ll reserve our more in-depth feature in the coming days, but here’s all you need to know: it’s totally awesome. We drove it through volcanic ash, broken pavement, and muddy trails where it performed beautifully. All in all, it continues its legacy as the segment’s toughest and smartest pickup truck by offering a wide array of new technology, some of which you don’t even get in a comparably priced SUV.

The Masterpiece: 2016 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Skyactiv on the Race Track

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Mona Lisa is something you admire for the way it looks. Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony is something you admire for the way it sounds. Robuchon’s food is something you admire for the way it tastes. Although these things can move you, the experience is rarely encompassing. In truth, any of these engage just one of the five senses. This is what makes cars special. They are, by nature, a multisensory experience.

One of the best-selling vehicles in the Lexus Manila line-up, the ES has now seen a refresh for the 2016 model year highlighted by progressive exterior styling, more opulent interior construction, and added safety features. Taking the ES to the next level in elegance and luxury, the 2016 ES now adds more of what Lexus has to offer. In fact, the Japanese luxury marque is confident that it will be the best-in-class.

Ferrari announces the Frankfurt Motor Show debut of the new 488 Spider, the most powerful mid-engined V8 car from the Prancing Horse. It will be offered with a patented retractable hardtop along with new technical innovations.

The iconic British sports car brand, Lotus formally inaugurated its showroom in San Juan City with a well-attended ceremony marking the arrival of the world-renowned makers of lightweight, no-frills, fun-to-drive cars.

Ford Philippines Launches Limited-Edition EcoSport Trend Urban

Ford Philippines today announces the launch of the Ford EcoSport with Urban pack, a limited-edition version of the Trend model of the popular versatile sport utility vehicle (SUV).

As it marks 40 years of sheer driving pleasure with the BMW 3 Series, BMW presents fans and car enthusiasts a chance to experience an action-packed adventure in Marrakech, Morocco. Asian Carmakers Corporation, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, will take one lucky buyer to an all-expense paid trip to thrilling destinations across the Red City.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is pleased to announce the launch of its Mitsubishi Rainy Day Specials promo. This service promo is dedicated to all owners of Montero Sport and Strada with units that are already beyond its warranty period. Included in this service promo are Montero Sports sold from September 2008 to December 2012 and Strada sold from September 2006 to December 2012.

Starting today, the Chinese community in one of Manila’s most populous districts will have easy access to great-value, high-quality and fuel-efficient automobiles as Suzuki Philippines debuts the Suzuki Chinatown Satellite in Binondo, Manila.

Conquer the Rainy Days with Bridgestone's 3+1 Rainy Days Deal

When it comes to driving in the rain regardless of what vehicle you may drive, it is safer to use tires that provide superior traction even in severe wet driving conditions.

To keep you and your family safe on the road when the skies open up to unleash a heavy downpour, Bridgestone brings back the 3+1 Rainy Days Deal for all passenger car and SUV owners. Buy three (3) Potenza, Dueler, Turanza or Ecopia of any size and get the 4th tire of the same type for free when you visit any of our authorized dealers from August 1 to October 31, 2015.

Because safety begins with Bridgestone.

Nissan Philippines Donates to Habitat for Humanity Philippines

Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) President and Managing Director Antonio Zara formally turns over the keys to the all-new NV350 Urvan and the all-new NP300 Navara units to Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) Managing Director and CEO Charlie Ayco during a simple ceremony held recently at Nissan North EDSA, Balintawak, Quezon City, that marked the partnership of the two companies.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The removal of the turbo engine caused a collective gasp among Subaru Legacy enthusiasts and would-be buyers all over the country. That, along with Subaru’s decision to offer it solely as a sedan had everyone saying that they’d rather keep their BM9/BR9 (2009-2014) cars over the all-new BN9/BS9. But is all this commotion actually worthy fussing over? Has it really lost the edge?

Drive Bold: Chrysler Philippines Launches New 300C

Auto Nation Group, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep automobiles in the country unveiled Chrysler’s interpretation of quintessential American luxury in the 2015 300C. Set to be the most technologically-advanced sedan of its class, it’s designed with the ideals of balance, elegance, sophistication, performance, and craftsmanship.

UPDATE 1: The new 2016 Ford Ranger has officially debuted. Click here for the story (8/17).

Ford Philippines today announced July retail sales of 1,705 units, helping drive its year-to-date performance up 15 percent to 12,132 units.

The Philippines will soon get a taste of Volkswagen’s own take on the executive sedan market when it’s set to arrive by the third quarter of this year. The all-new Passat, called B8 by Volkswagen, will exude style, handling, and performance like no other according to a company statement.

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) continues to expand its operations across the country. The groundbreaking ceremonies held throughout the month of July officially marked the beginning of the additional dealerships to be built. The soon to be constructed facilities are Honda Cars Angeles-Clark (HCAC), Honda Cars Lipa City (HCLC), and Honda Cars Zamboanga (HCZM).

A Different Kind of Test Drive: Dyson DC62 Portable Vacuum

How does a vacuum story exactly fit in the automotive world? Well, if you’re as obsessive in keeping your car as spic-and-span as me, then a proper portable vacuum for the car is in order. Here comes the Dyson DC62 cordless portable vacuum.

Who says crossovers can’t handle a real-life off-road trail? Subaru just proved naysayers wrong when they brought bone stock Foresters, in both turbo and non-turbo trims, to the first-ever X-Mode drive that brought their compact crossovers from San Juan to through some rough terrain eventually ending up at the Daraitan River in Tanay, Rizal.

Small car expert Suzuki is getting its A-Game on with the launch of its all-new Celerio. Known for its stylish and chic exterior, the all-new model now adds a dose of practicality with the concept of “small on the outside, big on the inside”. It’s the company’s new answer to the country’s fast-growing Sub-B passenger car segment.

Chevrolet Philippines Offers Pet Traveling Tips

Cars have conventionally been used as people and luggage carriers. However, times have long changed and so has the use of the automobile. Not only do we travel with people who are dear to us, but every so often bring along some of our furry friends. Pets now have a more definitive role in our lives and we make sure that they are as comfortable as we are while traveling.

CTEK, World's Smartest Car Battery Charger, Now in the Philippines

“Battery chargers are one of the least sexy car products out there,” quips Robert Briggs, Director of Sales and Marketing, Asia-Pacific for CTEK, the world leader in smart battery charging. And he’s probably right. Staring at the rows upon rows of car chargers on the table, admittedly, they’re all starting to look the same; perhaps with the exception of the additional button here and the extra cable there. And yet, for the next thirty minutes, Robert emphasizes why using a CTEK charger is as essential as checking your tire pressure every month.

Kia gives you and your family more reasons to love the rain with its latest offer. Until August 22, 2015 only, the Kia Rio and Kia Sportage are available at significantly discounted prices!

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently turned over a fleet of the all-new Strada pickups to Manila Water Company, Inc. One hundred sixteen (116) units of Strada GL 2WD Manual Transmission were acquired by Manila Water thru MMPC’s authorized dealership Diamond Motor Corp. – Quezon Ave. (DMC-QA).

First Drive: 2015 Mazda2 1.5 R Skyactiv

No matter how you look at it, the subcompact segment is a competitive one. Before, it was all about getting to Point A to Point B in the simplest, most no-frills way possible. It was entry-level motoring at its finest or at its worst. Today though, things are pretty different. Buyers are getting picky. They demand style, handling, and fuel economy—in other words, they want everything. And they’re not willing to pay a pretty penny for them too. It’s got to be affordable as well. Such is the world car manufacturers find themselves in; such is the world the Mazda2 has to fight in.

Honda HR-V Receives 5-Star ASEAN NCAP Rating

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announces that its newly launched All-New HR-V 1.8 EL variant was given a 5-star rating in the crash test conducted by the ASEAN NCAP (ASEAN New Car Assessment Program) last July 16, 2015 at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). The result further emphasizes Honda’s commitment for both safety to its customers and for overall road safety.

Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer Porsche enjoys an outstanding reputation with its US customers. This is confirmed by the 20th edition of the renowned ‘Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout’ (APEAL) study produced by US market research institute J.D. Power. For the eleventh time in succession, Porsche occupies first place in the overall rankings and thus continues to be the make of car with the greatest appeal for drivers in the USA.

Here’s your chance to be a part of an extraordinary adventure when you reserve an all-new Everest!

Ford Philippines today launches the “What’s Your Everest”campaign, which gives customers a chance to win an exclusive 3-day extraordinary adventure package for four, worth over P 400,000. Ford will also raffle off ten Go-Pro Hero4 cameras to ten lucky winners.

Volvo Cars, the premium carmaker, has acquired 100 percent of Polestar, the Swedish high performance car company, including the Polestar brand. Polestar will now be used as the model name for special high performance Volvos.

Vision Petron, the award-winning national student art competition of industry leader Petron Corporation, is celebrating 15 years of fueling creativity with the theme Lakbay Kasiyahan: Our Journey of Happiness.

Peugeot Philippines Brings in 2008 Crossover (w/ Specs)

After launching the 301 compact sedan just a few months back, the reinvigorated Peugeot is entering a new market segment once more, and this time, it looks to be yet another convincingly individual choice: this is the Peugeot 2008 and this could potentially be your new small crossover.

UPDATED: Mitsubishi Unveils All-new 2016 Montero Sport in Thailand

UPDATE 2: The all-new Montero Sport arrives in Manila (01/21).

UPDATE 1: We have driven the 2016 Montero Sport GT-Premium. Read our take here (11/9).

The next-generation PPV wars are heating up. After driving the all-new 2015-2016 Ford Everest and the global launch of the all-new 2016 Toyota Fortuner, now it’s Mitsubishi’s turn. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your all-new 2016 Montero Sport.

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