July 2018 | CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

July 31, 2018

Second Batch of Honda Civic Type Rs Arrive in Philippines

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. announces that a second batch of the Civic Type R has finally arrived here in the country. Customers can visit any of the 38 Honda Car Dealerships nationwide starting September 1, 2018 to see the iconic Japanese hot hatch.

The downsizing trend has finally hit Isuzu. Known for their relaxed, high-displacement diesel engines, Isuzu has been a hold out in this global trend. Alas, the reign of its 2.5-liter 4JK-1 is finally over and in its place comes the 1.9-liter RZ4E. Naturally, opting for such a small engine—one that displaces a mere 1,898 cc—presents certain challenges, the biggest of which concerns power-hungry Filipinos. Will it have enough grunt to satisfy your need for speed; let alone carry the mu-X’s rather hefty frame? A two-week drive beckons to answer those questions.

Porsche has just unveiled the new Macan compact SUV in Shanghai, and you’re looking at it. In typical Porsche fashion this update is more evolutionary than revolutionary and you’ll actually be hard-pressed to tell spot the differences. Give up? Well, it’s because the changes happen at the back.

There’s still a backlog of number plates over at the LTO (some dating all the way back to 2016), but that doesn’t mean they can’t dream big.

UPDATED: Did the DOTr Just Say It's Okay to Do the #InMyFeelings Challenge?

Okay, so a few days ago, the US-based National Transportation Safety Board—the same agency that investigates airplane crashes issued a statement stating the rather obvious dangers of doing the #InMyFeelings Challenge. Now, the Philippine-based Department of Transportation (DOTr) has done the same. However, something seems to have been lost in translation:

The biggest ace up the Ranger Raptor’s sleeve is its Fox shock absorber system. It’s the one responsible for giving this pick-up truck the ability to drive over rough roads at very high speeds (think 160 km/h) and yet give it on-road comfort and stability that beats everything else in its class.

After two months of driving the new Nissan Leaf 13,000 kilometers from Poland, adventurer and explorer Marek Kamiński arrived at Dongfeng Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility Experience Center in Beijing last July 16.

In time for the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization program, Foton Philippines is also rolling out its own Foton Jeepney.

Agency Responsible for Plane Crash Investigation Warns Against #InMyFeelings Challenge

If you watch a lot of Air Crash Investigation, you certainly will know what the NTSB is. But if you don’t, that acronym stands for The National Transportation Safety Board. It’s a US-based government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation investigation. They typically deal in big ticket stuff—airplane crashes and all that, but today, they’re also warning people against jumping out of a moving car and dancing to Drake.

San Juan City Implements "Anti-Idling Ordinance"

People who like to frequent the Greenhills area (or any part of San Juan City) should take note: there’s now an Anti-Idling Ordinance in effect in the city.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced that Alessandro Dambrosio is set to join MMC as Executive Design Director of Advanced Design. He will lead teams at three design studios - Okazaki, Tokyo in Japan, and Frankfurt in Germany. He will report directly to Tsunehiro Kunimoto, Corporate Vice President of Design Devision.

The Fast Track Service of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) promises vehicle owners complete preventive maintenance service (PMS) in 30 minutes, or the service is provided for free.

First Drive: 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor (w/ Specs, Video)

The Australian Outback—a harsh, unforgiving dingo eat dingo world. Stretching some 160,000 square kilometers, it’s untouched, raw, brutal—the sort of environment where only the toughest survive. It’s here, in a relatively small 4,000-square kilometer patch up in Northern Territory that the Ranger Raptor is given its first shakedown.

The first Supra model was produced in 1978, and 40 years later the hotly anticipated, all-new fifth-generation model has been revealed in prototype form. It’s been experienced dynamically at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hill course and showcased statically at a special invite-only event for Supra enthusiasts.

The top-selling premium car brand in the Philippines is making luxury much more affordable this month with downpayment schemes as low as P 279,000 on selected models.

UPDATED: Ford Philippines Has An Important Warning to Would-Be Ranger Raptor Buyers

UPDATE: Ford has now officially opened the Ranger Raptor order books (8/2).

We’re inching every bit closer to the launch of the much-anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor for the Philippine market (you can read our First Drive). But before that, we’d like to share a Public Service Announcement or PSA with you.

Over 40 Mazda show cars will vie for this year’s top prize at the Revolution 2: The All-Mazda Autofest car show happening the whole day of Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Mazda Zoom Fest display along 9th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City.

The Ford Ranger pickup truck has continued its success in Asia Pacific in 2018 with record sales through the first six months, increasing almost 9 percent year-over-year to 69,103 vehicles.

Kona in Hawaii is known as the site for the Ironman World Championship—a world-renowned triathlon race that tests strength and endurance. Yet, Hyundai decided to partner with a different Iron Man when it wanted to come up with a limited-edition Kona sub-compact SUV.

With half of the 2018 season now done, the battles in the Petron FlatOut Race Series (Petron FORS) are really tightening up as the country’s premier grassroots motorsports event returned to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last July 14.

Mazda x First/We/Drive Collection to Debut at Zoom Fest 2018

This weekend, passion for cars and the arts come together as Mazda Philippines is set to reveal the new Mazda Collection merchandise at the Zoom Fest 2018 happening at the BGC.

Ceramic coating has become the latest buzzword in the world of automotive detailing. Often marketed as the ultimate in paint protection, it has replaced automotive film (aka wraps or foils) as the go-to for the obsessive-compulsive car owner. The problem is, some detailers have begun to oversell it (exaggerated Facebook videos and posts don’t help) and as such, is creating a big hype around ceramic coating. But is it all worth it?

Six hundred eighty six thousand pesos doesn’t get you much car these days. A second-hand car is possible, but for those who want something new, the choices are limited. You can’t even get an entry-level Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent at those prices, much less something like a Honda City; only the bottom-rung Nissan Almera and Toyota Vios are available, and goodness, they’re pretty much penalty boxes with wheels. But, lo and behold, there’s one new entry that’s pretty much shaken the sub-compact genre and it comes from an unlikely source: Volkswagen. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 2018 Volkswagen Santana.

2018 Toyota Vios in Facts & Figures

The launch of the all-new 2018 Toyota Vios comes at the heels of the brand’s 30th anniversary in the Philippines, as well its record achievement of 1.5 million in cumulative sales in the course of those three decades. The Vios is undoubtedly one of the breakthrough models for Toyota Motor Philippines since its launch in 2003. By the release of the second generation, the Vios was already proudly Philippine-made.

Nissan has reiterated the need for collaboration among automakers, governments, and other stakeholders as key to accelerating electrification in the Asia and Oceania region.

Jeep Head is Now Fiat Chrysler's New CEO

Both Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Ferrari have replaced Sergio Marchionne due to his poor health.

Ford Launches 2019 Ranger for Asia-Pacific; Gets New Engines, Safety, Tech Features

After showing off the 2019 Everest equipped with a new twin-turbo 2.0-liter engine, Ford is now doing the same with the 2019 Ranger. Dubbed the Ranger Raptor’s “Blood Brother,” the 2019 Ranger packs a new drivetrain as well as some exterior and interior enhancements.

The Euro-4 compliant RZ4E engine is now on the Isuzu D-Max. Slated to arrive at all Isuzu showrooms by the end of this month, this small-displacement 1.9-liter engine replaces the previous 2.5-liter mill on all value-oriented trims. Together with the new engine and transmission (all models now get a 6-speed manual or automatic), the D-Max also receives some cosmetic changes inside and out.

Not to be outdone by the US-market WRX STI Type RA, Subaru is now releasing a limited edition WRX STI in the land of the rising sun dubbed the WRX STI Type RA-R. It’s a Japan-only model with just a 500 unit production run to commemorate STI’s 30th year anniversary.

Volkswagen Philippines recently turned over to CW Home Depot 4 units of Santana subcompact sedans that the pioneering home construction and renovation store will issue to its top sales performers.

What's the Best Fuel Economy Figure We Could Do with Isuzu's RZ4E Engine?

Isuzu launched a modern, downsized turbodiesel engine last March in the form of the 1.9-liter RZ4E Blue Power. Fitted under the entry-level mu-X and now, D-Max, the Japanese diesel specialist touts it as a technical tour-de-force with two goals in mind: offer response expected for an SUV (or pick-up) in its class while returning even better fuel economy than the outgoing 2.5-liter motor.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was recently cited by the Commission on Audit for having been able to meet a 90-percent achievement rate in registering new vehicles and issuing them Motor Vehicle plates and stickers within 7 days.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country, capped off its 1st Semester 2018 sales with 15,957 unit sales.

The smile of would-be sub-compact sedan buyers would be as wide as the all-new 2018 Toyota Vios’s front maw as the number one carmaker in the country has finally revealed the pricing and specs of their best-selling passenger car.

Isuzu Philippines Corp (IPC), continued its road show to promote the modern jeepney, this time at the Philippine Bus & Truck Show 2018.

AVID Sales Down 11 Percent in First Half of 2018; Bullish on EVs and Hybrids for Second Half

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) sales momentum waned by 11 percent as it reported 43,138 units sold in the first half of 2018 from 48,344 units sold for the comparable period in 2017.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has come and gone and people were slightly disappointed that they didn’t see the 2019 Toyota Supra in all its glory. Yes, it did do the hill climb, but it was still sporting the geometric camouflage, so a bit of a bummer there. But, some tidbits about Toyota’s upcoming sportscar did come out courtesy of Road & Track.

Review: 2018 Mercedes-Benz B 180 Urban

Despite what other people say, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is one likeable car. It’s not perfect, but after some days in it, it’s easy to prefer it over its more stylish sibling, the GLA-Class. While it fulfills a very particular niche—one whose needs center around a car with comfort, space, and one that carries a premium brand; it shouldn’t matter. In the end, it’s a sorted little number that deserves a look because it appeals to the sensibilities more than it does to the senses.

Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines (HDCP) is equipping its first batch of scholars with world-class skills in automotive technology and vehicle maintenance. Through the HDCP, partners Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), Plan International, and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), aim to elevate the skills of the local workforce, broaden opportunities for underprivileged youth to begin productive careers in the automotive industry and, ultimately, boost Philippine competitiveness on the regional and global stages.

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country recently launched its fleet of Euro IV trucks and buses in Cebu, the Queen City of the South.

Caltex Philippines Combats Rising Gas Prices with Various Initiatives

From discount lanes for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to rewards points for dining and shopping—Caltex combats the rising gas prices by giving motorists the most benefits per liter.

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), continues to reward the loyalty of its patrons and give back to Filipinos with year-round projects that open opportunities for disadvantaged people.

The Refreshed 2018 Hyundai Grand Starex Has Landed (w/ Brochure)

The refreshed 2018 Hyundai Grand Starex is now here. Tucked quietly in the company’s latest price list, the best-selling van gets a nip and tuck better equipping it to do battle with other full-sized vans in the market.

Many people will not be able to experience the romance of travel because of a condition called kinetosis or more commonly known as motion sickness. In Europe, over 30 million people are affected by this chronically and 33 percent have experienced it at least once in their life. Well, this affliction may become a thing of the past as Citroën, the French carmaker is presenting a pair of glasses that can combat motion sickness.

Hoping to score tickets to the Toyota Must Fest? Unfortunately, you’re out of luck. The event, which serves as the public debut of the 2019 Vios has reached its full capacity after 120,000 unique users logged into the Toyota Music Fest server after just 2 days.

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation launches the most sporting executive sedan in the world: the all-new 2018 BMW M5. Dubbed “the supercar with four doors,” the BMW M5 features extremely high levels of performance wrapped around a highly-practical sedan body. Best news of all? It’s priced at just half of a typical supercar with the same level of performance.

JMC, through its authorized importer and distributor, Global Autodistribution, Inc. (GAI) is showcasing its vision for the modern jeepney through the N700 Modern Jeepney. Based off the JMC 4-wheeler light truck, it was shown to the public for the first time at the Philippine Bus & Truck 2018 Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center.

Suzuki Philippines (SPH) further strengthens its market presence outside Metro Manila with back-to-back expansion initiatives in the CALABARZON and Ilocos regions.

Same Problems Plague DOTr and LTO in 2017 According to COA Report

Around a week after the Commission on Audit (COA) released their findings regarding the Philippine National Police, particularly its purchase of Mahindra patrol vehicles, now it’s the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s turn to get scrutinized. And while there have been some improvements over at the DOTr, the same problems still plague this government agency.

Here's How You Go Through Floods Safely

At 800 millimeters, some SUVs and pickup trucks have impressive water wading capabilities right off the bat. And while that gives you an extra layer of protection when tackling flash floods, these vehicles aren’t impervious.

Ford Philippines announced that June retail sales rose slightly from the previous month to 2,114 vehicles, led by their big three: Ranger, EcoSport, and Everest.

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